A Lahore police assistant sub-inspector (ASI) has been arrested on charges of allegedly raping a 19-year-old mentally challenged woman inside a police station, prompting the suspension of dozens of police officials over what authorities described as serious supervisory failures.

The incident allegedly occurred on August 2 at Ghaziabad police station, where ASI Imran, attached to the investigation wing, is accused of forcibly taking the woman from a roadside market to the police station on his motorcycle.

According to police sources, a constable stationed at the entrance questioned the officer after seeing the woman.

The ASI allegedly told him he had brought her in for questioning before taking her to a room inside the station, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her.

The victim’s mother said her daughter had left home around 1pm on August 2 and did not return. After family members searched for her, a man identified as Faisal Yousaf informed them that a plainclothes police officer had taken the woman away on a motorcycle.

The mother said she went to Ghaziabad police station to report her daughter’s disappearance. While she was there, she received a phone call informing her that her daughter had returned home.

Upon reaching home, she found her daughter in tears. The woman alleged that ASI Imran had sexually assaulted her inside Room No. 4 of the police station after forcibly taking her from the market.

She further claimed that the officer kept her daughter at the station until around 9pm before sending her home in a rickshaw.

Following the allegations, the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Investigation ordered the registration of a criminal case against the ASI. The suspect was arrested and placed in police custody.

Police authorities also suspended the investigation in-charge of the station over alleged negligence and poor supervision.

Separately, the DIG Operations suspended the station house officer (SHO), front desk staff and the entire strength of 78 officers and personnel posted at Ghaziabad police station pending the outcome of the inquiry.

Police said investigations into the case are underway.