ATC Extends Remand of Woman Accused of Spreading Fake News About Alleged Rape at Lahore College

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Thursday extended the physical remand of a woman, Sara Khan, accused of spreading fake news about a purported rape incident at a private college in Lahore by allegedly posing as the mother of the victim.

The police presented Sara Khan before ATC judge Arshad Javed, requesting an extension in her remand for further investigation. Investigators stated that one mobile phone allegedly used by Khan in spreading the misinformation had been recovered, while a second device was still to be located. The judge approved a six-day extension in Khan’s physical remand, directing the police to present her in court again on November 7.

The case, initially filed at the Gulberg police station under the Pakistan Electronic Crime Act (PECA) 2016, was escalated after Khan’s TikTok video on the alleged incident went viral, inciting student unrest and violent protests. Police from OCU Model Town acted upon the viral video, which contributed to further controversy surrounding the unsubstantiated rape claims.

In addition to Sara Khan, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has booked 20 other suspects, including journalists and social media activists, for allegedly spreading false information and defaming the college. The FIR, filed by the college’s principal, Saadia Javed, claims that the misinformation campaign harmed the institution’s reputation.

An inquiry, including CCTV footage and statements from security personnel, reportedly found no evidence of the alleged incident or the victim’s existence, with the FIR stating that the accused had created public unrest through baseless claims.