Three arrested in Peshawar gang-rape case as police crack down on illegal jirga

Authorities detain suspects and jirga organizers after council attempts to settle assault through forced marriage.

Peshawar police have arrested three suspects in connection with the alleged gang-rape of a young girl in the Badaber area. Authorities confirmed that a formal First Information Report (FIR) has been registered, initiating strict legal action against the accused. The police noted that the assault took place a few months ago, but formal legal proceedings faced delays due to external interference.

In a significant move, law enforcement personnel also took several individuals into custody who participated in an illegal local council, or jirga, alongside the victim’s father. Following the assault, the jirga convened a meeting between the accused individuals and the victim’s family to settle the matter outside of the formal legal framework. The council had decided that the prime suspect would marry the victim and decreed that a monetary sum be paid to the father as compensation.

The police intervened to halt the customary settlement, emphasizing that such parallel justice mechanisms are unlawful. Officials stated that all organizers involved in brokering the forced marriage pact are now facing formal investigation alongside the primary suspects, and a detailed inquiry from various aspects is currently underway.