12 arrested for ordering a 'revenge rape' in Pak

In a bizarre incident, at least 12 persons have been arrested for 'sanctioning' revenge rape to settle a dispute among themselves in Pakistan's Punjab province, police said today.

The incident took place last week in Pirmahal, some 200-km from Lahore.

According to a first information report (FIR) registered by Pirmahal police on the complaint of Sub-Inspector (SI) Shaukat Ali Javed, on March 20 a man of Gharibabad area of Pirmahal had raped a girl of his locality.

He said when the victim's family threatened to lodge an FIR against the suspect, the latter's family requested to settle the matter out of court.

"The victim and suspect families agreed that the brother of the victim girl would rape the suspect's sister to settle the issue," the police official said.

On March 21, the 'revenge rape' was committed with the suspect's sister.

The official said he found out about the matter when both families were preparing a stamp paper mentioning the two incidents and their decision of not to initiate legal action against each other for reconciliation.

"We have arrested 12 persons including four women and are raiding the whereabouts of three more wanted in the case," he said.