Usman Mirza is prime suspect in couple harassment case. A video of Usman Mirza and his friends went viral on social media in which they were torturing and assaulting a couple in Islamabad. Moreover, the accused persons continued blackmailing the couple after filming the couple in which they were forced to have sexual intercourse at gunpoint.
Soon after the details were revealed, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan directed the police to ensure justice. However, recently the case has taken an unexpected turn. The following is the brief timeline of the incident which has created a debate on media platforms.
July 6: A video of Usman Mirza harassing a couple went viral on social media which created an outrage across the country.
July 7: Usman Mirza was arrested by Islamabad police.
August 2: Mirza filed a bail plea but was rejected by Islamabad High Court (IHC) and he was sent to Adiala Jail till September 10.
September 27: The police submitted a challan in the court, in which victims’ statements were recorded.
September 28: Indictment of at least three suspects, including Mirza.
October 3: Initiation of legal proceedings against the suspects.
January 10: The lawyer of the victim reported that the victims’ mobile phones were switched off. Reports that victims had been paid off.
January 11: On the day of the hearing, the female victim refused to identify any of the accused and said she does not want to pursue the case.
She also told the court that she did not want to appear for subsequent hearings in the case. However, the judge told her that she would have to appear and adjourned the hearing for January 18.
