Over 40 cases of kidnapping, rape, sexual abuse reported in Mandi Bahauddin in July

In the month of July alone this year, more than 40 separate cases of kidnapping, rape, and sexual exploitation of women have been reported in Mandi Bahauddin district, Punjab province.

According to 46 First Information Reports (FIRs) filed in the district, these incidents occurred between July 1 and July 24.

The cases involve serious charges, including Sections 376 (rape), 376(iii) (rape of a minor), 365B (kidnapping, abducting, or forcing a woman to marry), and 496-A (enticing, abducting, or unlawfully detaining a woman with malicious intent).

Seven cases were specifically filed under Section 376(iii), four under Section 376, 13 under Section 365B, and 21 under Section 496-A. Additionally, two cases were registered under Section 511 (offences punishable with life imprisonment or a shorter term), and one under Section 114 (accomplice present during the commission of the crime).

The FIRs detail incidents of kidnapping, rape, and sexual exploitation involving young girls and teenagers, with victims ranging in age from 10 to 28 years, the majority being between 10 and 18 years old.

Most incidents occurred within the Police Circle Sadar Mandi Bahauddin, with others in Police Circles Phalia and Malkwal. The cases were reported across various police stations, including Saddar, Civil Line, Kathiala Sheikhan, Gojra, Meana Gondal, Pahrianwali, and Phalia where an estimated 150 known and unknown suspects have been named in FIRs.

A report by the Sustainable Social Development Organization, violence against women increased in Punjab in 2023, with the highest number of incidents occurring in Lahore and Faisalabad.

10,201 cases were registered under Sections 354 and 509 of the Pakistan Penal Code, marking a 14.5% increase from 2022, when 8,787 cases were reported. The report also highlighted that 1,464 cases were reported in Lahore, 1,198 in Sheikhupura, and 877 in Kasur, with an average of 28 women facing violence daily in Punjab.

Furthermore, 6,624 rape cases were registered in 2023, indicating that a woman was raped every 45 minutes. Faisalabad reported the highest number of cases with 728, followed by Lahore with 721 and Sargodha with 398.

With Lahore, Faisalabad, and Rahim Yar Khan topping in numbers, an estimated 626 women were kidnapped, 120 were killed in the name of honour, and 20 were trafficked in 2023.