British Kashmiri Woman Accuses Mirpur Police Officer of Harassment and Assault

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Written by: Waheeda Jammu Kashmiri

Farkhunda Rahman, a British Kashmiri woman, has leveled serious allegations against Station House Officer (SHO) Imran Chaudhry of Thothal Police Station in Mirpur, accusing him of subjecting her to severe mental torture and attempting to kidnap her with the intent to dishonor her. She shared her ordeal during a press conference at the Kashmir Press Club in Mirpur, joined by leaders of the Joint Action Committee, including Professor Nauman Arif Kamplvi, Advocate Saad Ansari, former Bar President Raja Zulfiqar Advocate, Mirpur Protection Forum General Secretary Aamer Butt, Advocate Syeda Nazia Shah, as well as councilors, traders, and members of civil society.

The Incident: A Harrowing Encounter

Rahman explained that she has been in Mirpur for the past four months, facing humiliation while attempting to reclaim possession of her property. Following advice from the Divisional Commissioner of Mirpur, she approached Thothal Police Station for assistance. A relative in the UK, Tahir Saleem, connected her with Sajid Aslam, an MD in the Housing Authority, who directed her to SHO Imran Chaudhry. When she contacted him, the SHO forbade her from visiting the station and instead arrived at her residence in his car to pick her up.Rahman took all her documents with her, expecting help. However, she alleges that the SHO first stopped at a petrol station, and upon returning to the car, began misbehaving and harassing her. He then took her to his residence at gunpoint, where he started drinking alcohol and attempted to force himself on her. Tearfully, she recounted how the SHO tried to remove her burqa and bragged about similar acts with other girls, behaving “like an animal.” Using her education from the UK, she struggled to protect herself. She attempted to call a relative from the washroom but found no signal. Rahman managed to escape, but on the way back, the intoxicated SHO nearly caused four accidents, and the car broke down when he dropped her off—an incident she claims is supported by evidence.

Demonstration against Farkhunda Harasmit in Mirpur City Pakistan administered Kashmir

Police Response: Allegations of Negligence and Cover-Up

After escaping, Rahman reported the incident to the police, but she accuses them of failing to take her case seriously and attempting to shield their colleague. She specifically criticized Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mirpur Khawar Ali for professional dishonesty, alleging that despite receiving all evidence and hearing the facts, he registered a weak First Information Report (FIR). She pointed out that crucial sections related to kidnapping, harassment, use of a firearm, alcohol consumption, blasphemy, disrespect toward the Prophet’s poetry, and inappropriate remarks about Mecca and Medina were omitted from the FIR. Rahman, who does not speak Urdu fluently, also stated that her statement was incorrectly recorded in Urdu instead of English, including details she never mentioned.She further alleged that SSP Khawar Ali repeatedly summoned her to his office via male officers, which she found inappropriate, and provided her with Sub-Inspectors (SI) Shafqat and Nabila for protection, who do not answer her calls. Rahman emphasized that she cooperated fully with the police for eight days, dismissing claims of non-cooperation as fabricated rumors spread by the police. She accused the SSP of giving SHO Imran an opportunity to escape, calling the entire system corrupt and vowing to bring this “mafia” to justice.

Additional Pressure and Safety Concerns

Rahman claimed that the police are pressuring her to withdraw the case to protect SHO Imran. She also accused Inspector Mehboob from the Anti-Corruption Department of harassing her both in Pakistan and through contacts in the UK, urging her to forgive the suspect by citing his young children. She has demanded that a harassment case be filed against Inspector Mehboob immediately. Fearing for her life, Rahman has reached out to the British High Commission for support. She also refuted baseless accusations linking her to a drug mafia, urging those spreading such claims to “fear God’s wrath” for siding with “a rapist and a man of bad character.” She questioned how authorities would react if this had happened to the daughter of a DIG, SSP, or those making these accusations.

Demands for Justice

Rejecting the police inquiry committee, Rahman demanded the immediate arrest of SHO Imran Chaudhry and a judicial inquiry by a High Court judge. The Joint Action Committee leaders echoed her demands, condemning the SHO’s actions as unforgivable and accusing the police of dishonesty in protecting their colleague. They warned that if their demands—including the inclusion of all relevant sections in the FIR, the arrest of SHO Imran, and a case against Inspector Mehboob—are not met within a specified deadline, they will announce further action on the streets.