Minor girl subjected to rape, sodomy in Karachi: medical report

CJP takes notice of the incident; orders IGP to submit report in 48 hours

KARACHI: The severely wounded minor girl who was found dumped near an industrial area in Karachi on Thursday was subjected to severe sexual assault involving rape and sodomy, a medical examination report confirmed.

Six-year-old S* was found in a causeway to Korangi Industrial Area in a semi-conscious state and was brought to the emergency room of the Civil Hospital on Thursday afternoon in a serious condition.



Apparently, her assailants had tried to murder her after carrying out the sexual assault.

The child had multiple contusions – around eight or nine in numbers – on eyelids, cheek and lower jaw. Her face was swollen and there were bruises all over her body, including arms and legs.

“We are of the opinion that she has been subjected to brutal sexual assault, ie, rape and sodomy,” said the medico-legal certificate. Police surgeon Dr Aijaz Khokhar said there was sufficient evidence confirming the assault, adding that relevant samples were handed over to the investigation officer.

The minor child, shifted to intensive care unit of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto (SMBB) trauma centre has regained consciousness and is now recovering. “She is stable and now in much better condition. However we are not allowing anyone to meet her right now,” said the SMBB spokesperson Dr Amir Raza Abedi.



Dr Abedi said her neck and wrist had been repaired with the help of a surgery on Thursday night as there was a deep cut on the neck and arms, when she was brought to the facility. “She is still having some difficulty in speaking,” he said.

S*, who also studies in school, has four siblings – two sisters and two brothers. She is a resident of impoverished Ibrahim Hyderi neighbourhood. Her father works as a labourer and her mother is also a factory worker.

The police investigators suspected that the child was most likely assaulted by some neighbour or relative.

“Usually in such cases, strangers are not involved,” investigation officer Rana Munir told The Express Tribune.

Responding to media reports, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar has taken notice of the incident and directed Sindh’s inspector general police (IGP) to submit a report within 48 hours.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 21^st, 2017.