LAHORE (Web Desk) – A Lahore court on Monday extended the physical remand of four suspects for another four days in the alleged kidnapping and rape case involving two foreign women, allowing investigators additional time to complete recoveries and gather evidence.
The suspects, including the prime accused Ahmad Raza Dar, were presented before the court by police amid tight security. Investigators informed the court that important evidence had already been recovered, including mobile phones and the vehicle allegedly used during the crime. However, police said further investigation was required as the recovery of cash allegedly linked to the case was still pending.
After reviewing the investigation report and hearing arguments from both sides, the court approved the request for an extension of physical remand, directing investigators to continue the probe and present progress at the next hearing.
Three of the suspects — Sikandar Aziz Khan, Hassan Raza Sajid Ali and another accused — appeared through their legal counsel, Advocate Salman Shahid. The main suspect, Ahmad Raza Dar, was not represented by a lawyer during the proceedings.
The case has attracted national attention because the victims are two foreign nationals, one from Venezuela and the other from the Netherlands. Police say the women travelled to Lahore on June 29 and were allegedly kidnapped shortly after arriving in the city.
According to investigators, the suspects allegedly abducted the women, demanded money and subjected them to sexual assault before law enforcement agencies launched a coordinated operation to trace their whereabouts.
Police officials said the investigation began after authorities received information from international contacts regarding the disappearance of the women. The first alert reportedly came on July 1 when an individual identified as Carlos informed Pakistani authorities about the incident and stated that Spanish authorities had also been notified.
The same day, the Safe City Authority received an emergency call, prompting police to activate surveillance systems and begin tracking the suspects.
Investigators used Safe City cameras, mobile phone records and vehicle tracking technology to reconstruct the suspects’ movements. Authorities said the vehicle allegedly used in the crime travelled from Lahore towards Sargodha through the motorway network, while police also conducted raids in Shahdara, Defence and several other locations.
Police officials said technological evidence, including digital records and surveillance footage, played a key role in identifying the suspects and locating them within days of the complaint.
Four suspects were arrested on July 2 after investigators traced their mobile phone locations, vehicle registration details and communication records. Since then, police have been conducting interrogations while collecting forensic evidence and witness statements to strengthen the prosecution’s case.
Officials say forensic examination of the recovered mobile phones is underway to determine whether additional evidence, including conversations, location history or digital records, can support the investigation.
The investigating officer informed the court that financial recoveries linked to the alleged extortion aspect of the case remain incomplete. Police believe further questioning during physical remand could help recover the remaining evidence and identify whether additional individuals were involved.
The first information report (FIR) registered at Defence C Police Station includes allegations of kidnapping, extortion and rape against five suspects. Investigators have not ruled out the possibility of making more arrests if evidence establishes the involvement of additional accomplices.
Legal experts say physical remand allows investigators to recover evidence, verify statements and complete forensic procedures before filing a final investigation report before the trial court.
Authorities have assured both local and international stakeholders that the investigation will be conducted transparently and in accordance with Pakistani law. Police officials said every aspect of the case is being examined carefully, including forensic evidence, digital data, medical reports and witness testimonies.
The court directed investigators to complete the remaining investigation within the extended remand period and produce the suspects again after four days. The case is expected to proceed once police submit a comprehensive challan outlining the evidence gathered and the charges recommended against the accused.
The investigation continues as authorities work to determine the full sequence of events and ensure that all those responsible are brought before the court.
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