LAHORE:
The Punjab police claimed to have arrested on Monday another accused in the Lahore motorway gang-rape case, who has also under interrogation confessed to have commited the crime.
Identified as Shafqat, the accused was arrested by the Anti-Organised Crime Cell (CIA) from Depalpur after being identified by Waqarul Hassan – one of the two prime accused who courted arrest on Sunday, denying any involvement in the case.
He has been transferred to Lahore.
According to police sources, Shafqat has a previous criminal record. They added that the accused has undergone a DNA test, the results of which are awaited.
There is a strong possibility that Shafqat was the co-accused of the prime suspect, Abid Ali, the police said, adding that the police has nearly traced the entire gang.
Earlier today, the brother-in-law of accused Waqarul Hassan had surrendered to the police. Abbas, a resident of Sheikhupura, claimed in his statement that he was using the SIM card registered in Hassan’s name and that he had contacted Abid Ali around 10 days ago.
However, he also denied his involvement in the heinous crime and pleaded innocence.
He further claimed that he worked with Abid in a steel factory and had no other connections with him. He said that he was ready to present himself for interrogation at any forum. Abbas’s family has also pledged his innocence stating that he had no criminal record.
