Last year, I was accused of rape from an acquaintance that I had consensual sex with – things got bad and she decided to get back at me 2 months after and reported me with this false accusation.
I was called in to Cantonment Police (SSCB) on a Sunday morning to record my statement. Though I was never arrested and never needed a bail, it was still the worst morning I’ve had in my life. I was filled with anger and at the same time, worrying on what’s going to happen to me as this was my first police investigation I’ve ever gone through.
The IO was very unfriendly, warning me that I can be jailed for up to 20 years and caned 24 strokes. Worst thing is unlike cases like assault / burglary etc, rape is by nature a very shameful act. My biggest worry was if this goes to court, my name and pictures will be appearing all over the papers. Imagine the embarrassment I’ll have to go through as a “suspected rapist”.
On that Sunday evening, I googled for lawyers for legal advise. None were willing to spare a time for me as it was a Sunday, until I found Gino’s number, also through Google.
He calmed me down on the phone, took notes on the background facts of my case, and arranged for a meeting with him the next morning in his office.
We met the next day first thing in the morning. He was very calm, confident, and his confidence in handling my case was a huge relief. He presented to me the facts, my available options, all the possible outcomes, and what to expect from here.
The first thing he did was to write me a representation letter to the AGC, doing investigative work for the IO on my defense – presenting evidence on my side to convince the AGC that this is a false accusation of rape, this must not make it to court, and to direct the police to take no further action against me.
Police investigations took very long, and the first 3 months was the worst period for me psychologically. He did regular checks with the AGC to check on the progress of it, calls to my IO to monitor the progress of the case, and at the same time, periodically checking with me on how am i doing.
After 10 long months of agony, the AGC just replied today saying that they will take no further action against me. I decided to write this review just a few hours after I received the news as a form of thanks.
This is a huge relief, and I can finally get back to life.
I’m very thankful to Gino for the help he has provided me during this unfortunate period of my life. Thank you once again!