Pakistan, Aug. 5 -- Lahore police were already struggling with the fallout from the alleged abduction, extortion and sexual assault of two foreign women when another case exposed an even darker institutional failure. According to the latest allegation emerging from Ghaziabad, an assistant sub-inspector stands accused of raping a mentally impaired young woman inside the police station, prompting the suspension of more than 70 officers and other personnel.

The case has been registered under the rape provision of the Pakistan Penal Code and Section 155-C of the Police Order, which deals with misconduct by police officers. The location of the alleged offence, nevertheless, gives the case an institutional dimension that cannot be contained wi...