An Islamabad court on Friday sent two women to judicial custody after they allegedly forced their way into a house in Koral while posing as media personnel, in what investigators say was part of an organised extortion racket. Senior Civil Judge II (Criminal) Mubeshar Hassan passed the order after the investigating officer informed the court that the accused, identified as Zainab and Tania, were no longer required for further interrogation. The court directed that the women be produced again on July 18.
Incident Details
According to the first information report (FIR), complainant Touseef, a resident of Koral, told police that four people, two men and two women, arrived at his house, knocked on the main gate and forced their way inside after identifying themselves as members of the media. The FIR states that one of the women was carrying a microphone while one of the men held a video camera. The group allegedly accused the family of engaging in illegal activities and began filming the house and its occupants, including female family members, without their consent.
Assault and Arrest
When Touseef objected, an argument allegedly turned violent. He told police that the two men assaulted him, while the two women attacked his female relatives after they came out of another room upon hearing the commotion. According to the complaint, neighbours rushed to the house after Touseef raised an alarm. Police said the two male suspects managed to flee before officers arrived, while local residents overpowered the two women and handed them over to police after calling the emergency helpline 15.
Organised Gang Modus Operandi
The complainant alleged the suspects were part of an organised gang that used the cover of media work to gain entry into homes. He further claimed the arrested women identified the alleged gang leader as Qamar and another accomplice as Israr. Investigators privy to the probe said the group had reportedly set up a YouTube channel to run this operation, targeting localities associated with alleged prostitution or other illegal activity. According to them, the modus operandi involves filming residents under the guise of media coverage and later extorting money from them by threatening to release the footage.
Mistaken Target and Ongoing Investigation
The investigators said the two women in custody were recent recruits hired by the gang, and that in this instance the group had mistakenly entered the wrong house, targeting a family unconnected to their intended location. Police officials expressed confidence that the two absconding male suspects would be arrested soon. The case against the accused was registered under multiple sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, including provisions relating to house trespass, criminal intimidation, assault and outraging modesty.
