Urdu Report Desk
An alleged gang rape case involving an Azerbaijani woman in Lahore has taken a new turn after police sources claimed that the woman, identified as Diana, received Rs200 million to retract her allegations against three suspects.
Diana had initially accused three men of gang rape and named Ahmed Tanveer in a statement recorded under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. However, videos that surfaced on social media on Friday showed her declaring Tanveer innocent and appealing to authorities to close the case.
Police sources allege that Diana was paid to issue statements in favour of the accused. The allegations have not been independently verified.
Alleged Payment and Contacts With the Woman
According to police sources, Ahmed Tanveer belongs to a wealthy and influential family, and his father is a major contractor. Sources claim that the accused man’s relatives and lawyer contacted Diana by phone to persuade her to record video statements in his favour.
The sources further allege that after Diana agreed, Tanveer’s father travelled from London to Azerbaijan. Diana is reportedly in Dubai after receiving the money, according to the same sources.
Tanveer’s lawyer, Safdar Shaheen, has denied the allegations. He said he had never travelled to Azerbaijan, met Diana or spoken to her over the phone. He also said he had no knowledge of any deal connected to the alleged rape case.
Woman Declares Accused Innocent in Videos
In videos circulated on social media on Friday, Diana said Ahmed Tanveer had not assaulted her or taken her mobile phones. She described her earlier statements as having been made under pressure and appealed to the relevant authorities to terminate the proceedings.
In another video, Diana said she had wanted to appear before the court herself but was told that her life was in danger. She claimed she was forcibly sent out of Pakistan.
Diana also announced that she forgave the other two accused, Mohsin and Ali Zain. She said she did not want to pursue the matter further and asked that her name not be used in other people’s personal disputes.
Maryam Nawaz Raises Questions About Alleged Deal
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also referred to a case on the social media platform X after the videos emerged. She wrote that the wealthy family of an accused had allegedly offered the woman between Rs15 million and Rs20 million to withdraw her allegations, despite her statement already having been recorded under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Maryam Nawaz further alleged that a judge who granted bail to the accused had been bribed.
She said that, if true, the allegations raised serious concerns about the credibility of the justice system and the use of financial pressure to influence victims in sexual assault cases.
The chief minister said she would continue monitoring such cases to ensure that no accused person escaped justice because of wealth, influence or connections. She stressed that justice should not be for sale and that no one was above the law.
Ahmed Tanveer Sent to Jail on Judicial Remand
Separately, a local court in Lahore on Saturday sent Ahmed Tanveer, who was arrested in connection with the case, to jail on 14-day judicial remand.
The court also directed police to arrange a medical examination of the accused and complete the identification parade.
Judicial Magistrate Ahmed Saeed Saim announced the reserved decision on a police request. During the hearing, Tanveer’s lawyer, Safdar Shaheen Pirzada, opposed the police request and alleged that his client had been tortured throughout the night.
The lawyer requested a comprehensive medical examination. The magistrate asked Tanveer whether he had been subjected to violence and whether he wanted a medical examination. Tanveer replied that he had been tortured and wanted to be examined.
The defence lawyer also argued that police were presenting an old incident as a new one and maintained that Tanveer had already obtained bail in the case. A case against him is registered at Lahore’s Ichhra police station.
Background of the Alleged Assault Case
Diana first came to public attention in the final week of September, when she alleged that she had been gang-raped in Lahore.
According to the complaint registered at Defence C police station, she accused two women, Muskan and Nimra, and three men, Mohsin, Ahmed Tanveer and Ali Zain, of allegedly giving her an intoxicating substance before sexually assaulting her. She also alleged that the suspects took her belongings and mobile phones before abandoning her near the airport.
Following the registration of the case, police collected forensic evidence and DNA samples from the scene. A vehicle allegedly used in the incident was also recovered, while several people, including the main accused, Mohsin, were taken into custody.
Statements by Other Accused
During court proceedings, Muskan said she had met Diana at a party. According to her statement, Diana exchanged mobile numbers with her and Nimra and offered to invite them to various parties.
Mohsin, described as the main accused in the case, maintained that he first met Diana on September 25 at a private housing society.
Another accused, Ali, claimed that Diana lost control during a party at an apartment in Defence. He alleged that when they reached Ghazi Road, she began fighting inside the vehicle and subsequently got out by force.
Subsequent Investigation and Diana’s Departure
Reports later emerged that police investigators had found inconsistencies in Diana’s travel details and some of her statements.
There were also reports concerning her presence in Pakistan, an alleged marriage to a Pakistani young man and a video showing her wearing bridal attire.
Earlier this month, Diana was sent back to Azerbaijan under the supervision of Lahore police.
The latest allegations concerning an alleged payment to withdraw the accusations, along with the conflicting statements and ongoing legal proceedings, have added another development to the case. The claims of a financial deal and bribery remain allegations and have not been established as facts.
