Four rapists clad in police uniforms barged into a couple’s bedroom on their wedding night and raped the bride in front of her newlywed husband.
The incident happened on Wednesday, May 26, at the groom’s residence in Multan, some 350 km from Lahore, in Pakistan’s Punjab province, police said.
The groom, identified as Muhammad Latif, and his 22-year-old newlywed wife, who will not be named, were in their bedroom when four robbers dressed in police uniforms forced their way into the home.
Holding the family members hostage, the armed men barged into the couple’s bedroom and allegedly stripped and gang-raped the young bride while her husband helplessly watched.
"Four robbers clad in police uniform barged into the house at 3 am Wednesday. They held the family hostage and entered the couple's room where they gang-raped the bride in front of her husband. They also tortured the couple," The New Indian Express quoted a senior police officer as saying.
After the rape, robbers stole the gold ornaments that she was wearing and also some cash from the locker, police said.
The men fled the scene and the family members immediately alerted the police.
The couple was later transported to a hospital where they were treated for their injuries. A medical examination was conducted and the results confirmed the rape, police said. The bride is reported to be in stable condition.
Senior police officer Khurram Ali Shah visited the crime scene and assured the victim’s family that justice will be served.
"Forensic reports will help determine the direction of the Investigation," Shah said.
The police are investigating whether the suspects were part of a robbery gang or had targeted the family due to any personal enmity.
Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has instructed the police to apprehend the criminals at the earliest.
In a similar incident, a 15-year-old Nigerian girl was left bloodied after allegedly being gang-raped by her "uncle" and six of his friends. The alleged abuse happened on May 7, in the city of Issele-Uku in Delta State.
"The young girl had issues with a woman in the community, her son, one of the culprits whom she saw as a big uncle called her to hear her side of the story," Nigerian activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, wrote on his Facebook page.
Once at the home, the victim was forcefully dragged into a room where her uncle and six of his friends took turns to brutally rape her.
Neighbors found the bleeding victim and rushed her to the hospital. She is expected to survive.
