# Pakistan Court Indicts Eight in High-Profile Gang Rape Case Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar’s grandson among those charged in Lahore assault case. - **Source:** [The Hindu – International](https://www.thehindu.com/news/international) - **Published:** 2026-11-11 - **Topic:** [world](https://brifing.si/c/world) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/4caba303-bf34-40b3-8fb0-023941c7e930 ## Court Frames Formal Charges A Lahore court officially indicted eight suspects on November 10, 2026, regarding the gang rape of two foreign women. Additional District Sessions Judge Rafaqat Ali Gondal presided over the hearing where all defendants pleaded not guilty. The judge scheduled the commencement of formal trial proceedings for December 9, requiring the prosecution to present witnesses. ## High-Profile Suspect Involved Among the indicted individuals is Raza Dar, the grandson of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar. Although Punjab police initially issued a clean chit to Dar and four of his associates, the court proceeded with the charges. The legal action marks a significant development in a case involving high-level political connections. ## Initial Police Investigation Discrepancies The investigation faced controversy when police reports initially absolved Raza Dar and his friends of rape charges. Instead, authorities had charged three low-paid employees of the suspect with the crime. This shift in the case trajectory highlights the complexities surrounding the judicial process when influential figures are linked to serious criminal allegations in Pakistan. ## Victims' Business Trip Origins The two victims, hailing from the Netherlands and Venezuela, arrived in Lahore in June 2026 for a business trip. They had previously met Raza Dar in Singapore in 2025. Their relationship began through cryptocurrency investments, with Dar reportedly investing over $500,000 before disputes arose regarding profit returns and the recovery of his initial capital. ## Allegations of Kidnapping and Extortion The women alleged they were invited to Pakistan under the pretext of meeting another investor. After traveling to Islamabad and Murree, they were taken to a house in Lahore’s Defence Housing Authority. There, they were allegedly detained, threatened with weapons, and coerced into transferring $19,500 to the suspects under duress and death threats. ## Dramatic Escape During Transit The victims managed to escape their captors while being transported toward the Lahore airport. Their vehicle was involved in an accident, providing the opportunity for the women to flee. Following the incident, both victims recorded their statements with local authorities and subsequently returned to their respective home countries before the indictment proceedings began. ## Medical Evidence and Testimony Medical examinations conducted after the incident confirmed that the foreign women were indeed raped. These findings were central to the prosecution's case against the eight suspects currently held in judicial custody. The court's decision to move forward with the trial relies heavily on these forensic results and the testimonies provided by the victims. ## Judicial Process and Accountability The upcoming trial on December 9 represents a critical test for the Pakistani legal system regarding accountability for the politically connected. By rejecting the initial police exoneration, the court has signaled a commitment to pursuing the case against all eight suspects. The proceedings will be closely watched for their impact on public trust. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/pakistan-deputy-pm-ishaq-dars-grandson-seven-others-indicted-in-lahore-gang-rape-case/article71689122.ece — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._