‘Domestic helper of MPA’s daughter was tortured’

Autopsy report says repeated abuse/trauma led to death of 16-year-old

LAHORE: Accumulated effects of repeated torture/trauma led to the death of a teenaged domestic worker who was employed by Fauzia, the daughter of a serving PML-N MPA.

The report stated the victim was suffered pericardial effusion; a condition involves the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pericardial cavity. Due to the limited amount of space in the mentioned cavity, fluid accumulation leads to increased intrapericardial pressure which can affect heart function.  Viral infection, drug eluting stunts, inflammatory disorders, kidney failures etc are some of its causes.

The report further stated that all the injuries were anti-mortem (able to cause death) and that the injuries, abruptions and bruises on the body were caused by blunt weapons.

The victim, Akhtar Ali, along with her sister Attiya, had been working as domestic help at the house of the accused for two years. According to Attiya, her employer Fauzia and other family members would physically abuse them over minor issues.



Three days before death of Akhtar, the MPA’s daughter had reportedly brutally beaten him for being late in bringing something from the market. The victim’s condition later deteriorated and he was treated by a nearby doctor, but was unable to recover. During this period, the victim’s condition deteriorated further and he started vomiting out all his intake. The MPA's family reportedly did nothing for his treatment and simply asked the family to come and take the body when the teenager breathed his last.

The victim’s family registered a case against Fauzia Shahjahan who secured pre-arrest bail from a sessions court till July 20.

On Friday, Child Protection and Welfare Bureau Chairperson Saba Sadiq, SSP Investigations Mubashir Maikan and the family of the victim held a press conference at the CPWB Office. Police said they would include anti-terrorism charges in the FIR. Maikan said the suspect had secured bail till July 20, but the police would request that it be cancelled.

Saba Sadiq, meanwhile, added all possible help, including legal aid, would be provided to the victim’s family.



Child Rights Movement’s Iftikhar Ahmad told The Express Tribune he found it extremely disturbing that MPA Shah Jahan was a member of the Standing Committee on Labour and Human Resource. He stated the man’s job was to contribute to legislation for the protection of rights of labour. “Unfortunately, he himself is involved in the child labour and the torture of adolescents.”

He further stated there was no legislation in Punjab which can prevent children from working as domestic help. “This case has exposed the fact that MPAs were also engaged and involved in such violations. How can they even provide justice?” he questioned.

Just a day earlier on Thursday, Fauzia proclaimed her innocence in the mysterious death, saying only an autopsy would unearth the facts. “We did not torture him to death,” she asserted. Meanwhile, the family of Akhtar was in complete shock over the boy’s death. “Not even once did we think she will kill our son,” one of the family members said.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 15^th, 2017.