A new development has emerged in the alleged gang-rape case involving Diana, a woman from Azerbaijan. Police sources claim that she allegedly received Rs200 million in exchange for changing her statement in favour of the accused. The claim, however, has not been independently verified.
According to police sources, Diana initially accused three men, including Ahmed Tanveer, of gang rape. Her statement was reportedly recorded under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. In subsequent video statements circulated on social media, however, she declared Ahmed Tanveer and the other accused innocent and appealed for the case to be dropped.
Sources allege that relatives of Ahmed Tanveer and his lawyer contacted Diana. They further claim that the accused's father travelled from London to Azerbaijan and that Diana is now in Dubai after allegedly receiving the money. Ahmed Tanveer's lawyer, Safdar Shaheen, denied any such arrangement, saying he had neither travelled to Azerbaijan nor met or spoken to Diana by phone.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also referred to a case on social media platform X, alleging that a wealthy family had offered between Rs15 million and Rs20 million to persuade an alleged rape victim to withdraw her accusations. She also alleged that a judge who granted bail had been bribed. These allegations have yet to be established through a judicial finding.
Meanwhile, a local court in Lahore sent Ahmed Tanveer to jail on 14-day judicial remand. During the hearing, the accused alleged that he had been subjected to police violence and requested a medical examination. The court directed that his medical examination be conducted and the identification parade process be completed.
Diana first came forward during the last week of September, alleging that she had been gang-raped in Lahore. According to the FIR, she accused two women and three men of allegedly giving her an intoxicating substance, sexually assaulting her, and taking her belongings and mobile phones. Police reportedly collected forensic evidence and DNA samples during the investigation.
Earlier this month, Diana was sent back to Azerbaijan under police supervision. Her subsequent video statements and the allegations of a financial settlement have raised fresh questions about the case. The claims surrounding the alleged payment and other allegations remain subject to verification through evidence and legal proceedings.
