A female polio worker, who was allegedly abducted and raped in Sindh’s Jacobabad, has claimed to have faced threats from police and her husband.

The survivor testified before a court last week that she was abducted and raped while on duty, with medical reports indicating that the assault may have occurred.

The alleged rape took place on Wednesday in Allah Baksh Jakhrani village, within the jurisdiction of the Moladad Police Station, specifically in the nearby village of Allah Bakhsh Jakhrani.

In a statement to the media, the deputy commissioner confirmed that the woman has identified both perpetrators, and they will be arrested soon.

But reports said that police had registered a robbery case at the behest of influential individuals, with one suspect currently in custody.

The survivor was driven out of the home by her husband on Saturday, according to a Dawn report. The Sindh government transferred on Monday both the deputy commissioner and the senior superintendent of Police after the survivor alleged that the police coerced her to change her statement.

Coerced into allegedly changing statement

In a video statement, the affected polio worker revealed that after the incident, the police and DC Jacobabad arrived and transferred her to the hospital. After receiving medical assistance, she was in police custody, where officers allegedly forced her to give a false statement, threatening her with harm if she did not comply.

According to the BBC, the survivor reported that her mobile phone was stolen and an FIR was filed based on that complaint. But when the judge recorded her statement in the session court, she revealed that she had been raped.

The woman claimed that the police officers who pressured her to change her statement were in uniform and action should be taken against them as well.

She claimed that the police exerted pressure on her not to mention the rape, leading her to initially describe the incident only as a robbery.

Two days later, she was presented in a district and sessions court where the assured her of protection. During this hearing, she informed the court of the actual events.

The victim stated that the session judge assured her that the perpetrators involved in the incident would be punished, which provided her with some solace.

New section added to FIR

Following her statement in the court, Section 375 was added to her FIR which pertains to rape under the Pakistan Penal Code.

The woman reported that her husband was furious after the incident, labeling her as “kari” and now members of the Anarh tribe threaten to kill her in the name of honour.

The survivor has appealed for protection, stating that she used to give her earnings from polio work to her husband, but he has now expelled her from their home. Her husband previously supported the family by running a small cart.

She has called for justice.

In a recent development, the Jacobabad police claimed to have arrested both the alleged rapist and the woman’s husband.

In response to the complaint, police interrogated the woman’s husband, who claimed that the matter was a “misunderstanding.”

On Monday, citizens of Jacobabad held a rally to express solidarity with the affected polio worker, with participation from women as well.

Social activist Jan Odhano told BBC Urdu, “Polio workers are protecting our future. It is both society’s and the government’s responsibility to give them respect and dignity.”

He demanded an investigation into the elements that attempted to disguise the rape case as a robbery.