Couple arrested for torturing stepdaughter

The girl told the media that she was recently beaten up for requesting her parents to let her live with her uncle

LAHORE:  

Samanabad police arrested a couple for brutally torturing their nine-year-old daughter and registered a case against the suspects.

The victim, identified as Manahil, was living with her stepmother Ayesha and biological father Nadeem.

Police said the father was also involved in the crime. They said the torture was so brutal that the neighbours would hear the girl's screams and repeatedly intervened. Time and again, they asked the couple not to mistreat their daughter. However, the pleas were ignored.

On Monday night, after hearing the girl's screams, they called the police. A team of the police and Child Protection and Welfare Bureau (CPWB) raided the house and rescued the girl. They also arrested the couple.

Later, the girl was presented before the court and handed over to the CPWB. A medico-legal examination was conducted and the doctor said the victim had suffered serious injuries. "She is being treated, but the healing process will take some time."

Manahil, while talking about her ordeal, said she was recently beaten up for requesting her parents to allow her to live with her uncle.

She said her parents would torture her for no reason. The nine-year-old narrated that on one occasion, she was reading a book when her stepmother beat her with clubs. She also shared similar incidents that took place over the years. "I don't want to live with them. I want to stay with my uncle," she said.

Police said the suspects were in custody and the matter would be investigated further after receiving the medical report.