Police have registered separate cases against complainants and witnesses in three previously reported rape cases after investigators found alleged contradictions in statements recorded during inquiries and court proceedings, police officials said on Saturday.

The action was taken after a review of selected cases registered under the Anti-Rape Act, 2021 in Khanewal district, where police said discrepancies surfaced during reinvestigation of cases lodged at Haveli Koranga, Sarai Sidhu and City Kabirwala police stations.

Police said fresh legal proceedings were initiated after complainants or witnesses in the three cases either failed to support their original allegations during investigation or gave statements in court that differed from their earlier versions.

In the first case, registered at Haveli Koranga police station under an FIR, complainant Amir Sohail had accused his brother of attempted sexual assault.

Police said the matter was re-examined after inconsistencies emerged in witness statements and subsequent judicial proceedings.

Following the review, police registered a separate case against the complainant under relevant provisions of the Anti-Rape Act.

In the second case, linked to an FIR at Sarai Sidhu police station, complainant Muhammad Irfan and some prosecution witnesses allegedly changed or withdrew their statements during court proceedings.

Police said the case was later reviewed and a fresh FIR was registered under Sections 182, 213 and 427 of the Pakistan Penal Code for allegedly providing false information and misleading investigators.