Handicapped girl’s ordeal: Rape victim dies under unexplained circumstances

Family refuses to allow autopsy.

HARIPUR:

A handicapped girl who was allegedly raped by her uncle died on Sunday amid unexplained circumstances. However, the girl’s family declined to allow an autopsy of her body and buried her quietly.

According to the police and the girl’s family, the accused was arrested following a complaint by the victim’s mother and was sent to Haripur Jail on judicial remand.

Shahida Bibi*, a resident of Muhalla Babu, recorded her statement with the police, stating that she had gone to Malikyar village due to a death in the family on June 8. She left her 21-year-old daughter Farzana*, who was deaf and dumb, with Shahida’s brother-in-law Maqsood Ahmed* and two children at the house. However, when the two minor girls left the house with their grandfather, Ahmed allegedly raped Farzana.

“When I got back, I noticed she was terrified and Maqsood was nowhere to be found,” she told the police. Her daughter confirmed through sign language that she had been assaulted by Maqsood.

Farzana’s medical report also confirmed that she had been raped, after which the police registered a case against the suspect. She was admitted to hospital, but reportedly discharged after a few days.

According to sources, the victim died under unexplained circumstances on Sunday and was buried quietly. Her family was approached by local people but they reportedly remained silent over the issue.

Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police Muhammad Najib Bhangvi confirmed the report of rape. However, he explained that the girl’s death was not reported to the police by her family.

He also said that the police would investigate the matter on their own and the body could also be exhumed to determine the cause of death, if the victim’s family agreed to carry out an autopsy.

*Names changed to protect identity

Published in The Express Tribune, June 21^st, 2011.