After a Christian teenager was abducted and raped by a Muslim man, the British Asian Christian Association (BACA) stepped in to support the victim with legal representation and advocacy. In a significant development, the pre-arrest bail of the rapist, Ansar Shah, has been canceled by both the Sessions Court in Sheikhupura and the Lahore High Court, signaling progress in the fight for justice. BACA has been instrumental in gathering crucial evidence and assisting the police in a raid on Shah’s residence. Despite these efforts, Shah remains a fugitive, hiding at an unknown location to evade arrest. To prevent his escape abroad, BACA has filed an application urging the police to block his passport and national identity card.
The British Asian Christian Association (BACA) is making significant progress in the fight for justice for 16-year-old Eman Khuram, who was abducted and raped by Ansar Shah while returning home from her job at the Sethawali Shoe Factory in Sheikhupura on 7th November 2024. In its report to the Sessions Judge, the police confirmed Shah’s guilt in the rape. Although the Sessions Court in Sheikhupura canceled Shah’s bail, he managed to secure pre-arrest bail from the Lahore High Court, which set a hearing for 17th December 2024. Fearing arrest, Shah failed to appear before the court. Representing BACA, solicitor Sardar Sultan Ali Dogar presented evidence that Shah was named in the FIR for both kidnapping and raping Eman. After hearing these arguments, the judge canceled Shah’s pre-arrest bail, marking another critical step toward justice.
On 18th December, the British Asian Christian Association (BACA) team, led by solicitor Sardar Sultan Ali Dogar, visited Saddar Police Station and urged Investigation Officer Miss Rubina to raid the Sethawali Shoe Factory, where Eman worked, to secure primary evidence from the factory’s attendance register. Acting on BACA’s advice, Miss Rubina and the police conducted the raid and demanded the attendance register. Initially cooperative, the factory owner, Muhammad Shahid, later refused to hand over the register, claiming Eman had left the factory five days before the incident. Despite this resistance, the police, with BACA’s support, successfully obtained the register and included it in the investigation.
The following day, on 19th December, BACA once again assisted the police, this time in organizing a raid on Ansar Shah’s residence in Kot Ranjeet Singh, Sheikhupura. However, Shah was not present, and his sister-in-law informed the police that he had left the house two weeks earlier and his whereabouts were unknown.
Since then, Sardar Sultan Ali Dogar has submitted a written application at Saddar Police Station, urging the authorities to declare Ansar Shah a fugitive officially. This designation would enable the police to request the blocking of Shah’s passport and national identity card through the relevant passport and NADRA authorities. Blocking these documents would aid law enforcement in apprehending Shah at police checkpoints, as his fugitive status would be flagged during ID checks, facilitating his arrest regardless of where he is hiding.
Sardar Sultan Ali Dogar expressed confidence in the case, stating:
“I am sure that Eman will get justice from the court. The culprit will be arrested soon.”
He further added, “The police now have all the necessary evidence to prove Ansar Shah guilty of Eman’s rape.”
Eman’s mother, Sana Bibi, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the British Asian Christian Association (BACA) for their unwavering support in her family’s fight for justice. Speaking to BACA, she said:
“I am thankful to God for sending BACA to help us. Without their support, I would have had no resources or power to fight for justice for my daughter. I am also grateful to BACA and their donors for freeing my son from bonded labor by paying off our family debt to Muhammad Akram Virk and for arranging training for him to learn the skill of hair cutting.”
Rehman, Eman’s 15-year-old brother, is now receiving professional hairdresser training at a salon in Lahore. In just six months, he will become a skilled hairdresser and has already been lined up for future employment. Eman herself is set to begin a stitching and sewing course after Christmas, which will provide her with a sustainable livelihood. Once their training is complete, both siblings will be equipped to earn enough to pay the rent in their current safe house and support their single mother, who has tirelessly raised them.
Sana Bibi added:
“Through all our recent trials and tribulations we have never lost our faith in Jesus, he has answered our prayers exceedingly. May his name be praised forever.”
Eman and her family have faced unimaginable hardship, but with the support of the British Asian Christian Association (BACA), they are finding hope and justice. Your generous donation has already provided vital support for Eman’s legal battle, her education, and her family’s journey toward independence. Every contribution makes a difference in their fight for justice and a brighter future.
There are many other families in similar situations, and BACA is committed to helping them too. We need your help to continue this vital work. Please consider donating today (click here).
