RAWALPINDI: A domestic worker confessed to strangling and torturing a married woman whose body was found at her home in Rawalpindi’s Lalkurti area, police said Monday.
The worker, identified as Zeeshan, was remanded in police custody a day earlier along with the prime suspect, Faisal Asghar. Investigators said Zeeshan told them he had been called to the house during a marital dispute between Hina Javed and her husband.
According to police sources, Zeeshan said Hina attempted to flee during the altercation, prompting Faisal and him to grab her.
He allegedly told investigators that he pressed her throat when she resisted. Zeeshan also admitted to frequently stealing from the household, police said.
Police were initially called by Hina’s father-in-law, who reported that thieves had broken into the house. Officers who arrived at the scene found Hina’s body tied to a shower in the bathroom.
An investigation team headed by SSP Investigation Saifullah is conducting the inquiry.
A local court sent Faisal and Zeeshan to three days of physical remand after police produced them before a magistrate. The investigating officer told the court that a rope and wire allegedly used in the killing had been recovered from the suspects.
Police said Hina had been married to Faisal for about nine months. Officers initially told a doctor that Hina had been hanged by her husband. Faisal’s father has also been included in the investigation and his statement has been recorded, police said.
Post-mortem reveals multiple injuries
Hina’s post-mortem report showed injuries on several parts of her body, including a fractured neck bone and marks on her ribs and hip bone. The report also found blood in the pericardium and around the heart.
The post-mortem was conducted by Dr. Maria Khalid about 12 hours after Hina’s death. Lady Constable Rafia Tabassum collected samples for forensic examination.
DNA samples taken from the victim’s body were sent to a laboratory, along with other samples for forensic testing. The initial post-mortem report said the exact cause of death could not be determined immediately.
Case raised in National Assembly
The killing was also raised in the National Assembly, where Speaker Ayaz Sadiq expressed concern over Hina’s death and thanked the Women Caucus for highlighting the case.
Sadiq said Hina had worked in Parliament on a project of the National Information Technology Board. He extended support to the Women Caucus and directed the Human Rights and Interior committees to examine the matter.
More read, Post-mortem raises new questions in Hina Javed murder case
Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar said he contacted Punjab government officials and police after learning about the incident and obtained details from law enforcement authorities.
