Pakistan court frames gang rape charges against Deputy PM’s grandson:Accused of luring foreign women over cryptocurrency investment dispute

A Pakistani court has framed charges against eight people, including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar’s grandson Mohammad Raza Dar, in a case involving the alleged abduction, gang rape and extortion of two foreign women. All the accused have pleaded not guilty. The Lahore court, presided over by Judge Rafaqat Ali Gondal, framed the charges on November 10 and directed the prosecution to produce witnesses on December 9. Raza Dar is accused of bringing two women from the Netherlands and Venezuela to Pakistan following a dispute over an investment in a cryptocurrency business. The women alleged that they were held captive at a house in Lahore, sexually assaulted and forced to transfer money. However, a Punjab Police investigation report submitted to the court on November 3 cleared Raza Dar and four of his associates of the rape allegations. The police instead accused three of his employees of sexually assaulting the women. Women met Raza Dar in Singapore, invested over $500,000 According to the police investigation report, Stephanie Adnana Mau-Arun of the Netherlands and Astrid Robinson Baracho of Venezuela met Raza Dar in Singapore in 2025. Both women were involved in cryptocurrency trading and proposed that he invest in their business. Raza initially invested money and reportedly made a profit. He later invested more than $500,000 (approximately ₹4.75 crore) in the venture. However, he allegedly received neither profits nor a refund of his investment, leading to a dispute. Women allegedly invited to Pakistan on pretext of returning money In June 2026, Raza allegedly invited both women to Pakistan, promising to introduce them to another investor who could help resolve the financial dispute. The women travelled to Pakistan and initially stayed at a hotel in Islamabad. They also visited the Murree hill station before being taken to a house in Lahore’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA) area on June 29. According to their allegations, they were held captive at the property and pressured to return the investment money. Threatened with weapons, forced to transfer $19,500 The police report stated that armed men were present inside the house and threatened the women with knives, firearms and broken glass. They were allegedly warned that they would be killed and their body parts sold if they failed to pay. The women were allegedly forced to transfer $19,500 (approximately ₹17 lakh). However, they claimed that the accused had demanded a much larger amount. In statements recorded before a magistrate, both women alleged that they were subjected to sexual and physical violence. Their medical examinations reportedly confirmed rape. Women escaped after car accident while being taken to airport According to the women’s statements, they were later being taken to Lahore airport when the vehicle they were travelling in met with an accident. The accident gave them an opportunity to seek help and escape. Police subsequently took them into their protection, recorded their statements before a magistrate and arranged medical examinations. Both women returned to their respective countries a few days later. Police investigation cleared Raza Dar of rape charges The police had initially named eight people as accused in the case. However, in its investigation report submitted on November 3, the Punjab Police cleared Raza Dar and four of his associates of the rape allegations, stating that there was no evidence linking them to the sexual assault. Instead, the police accused three of Raza Dar’s employees of committing the crime. The report also alleged that Raza Dar and his associates had illegally confined the women and extorted money from them. Police claimed to have recovered approximately 43 lakh Pakistani rupees collected from the women. The investigation has also faced questions over allegations of bias. A lawyer representing one of the accused claimed that the main accused were being protected while their employees were being made scapegoats. Court begins trial proceedings, witnesses to appear on December 9 Despite the police report clearing Raza Dar of the rape allegations, the Lahore court has framed charges against all eight accused, including him. All eight denied the charges. They are currently in judicial custody. The prosecution has been directed to present witnesses on December 9, when further trial proceedings are expected to take place. All the accused will be presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.