Elderly transgender person 'murdered' in Karachi

Tortured body of 80-year-old Haji Hajan found inside house's water tank

KARACHI: An elderly transgender person was found dead in Karachi on Tuesday, police said.

The tortured body of Haji Hajan was found in the water tank of her home in Bilal Colony, Korangi by members of the transgender community.

According to SHO Awami Colony police station, the body was shifted to Jinnah hospital for medico-legal formalities and further investigation.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, transgender activist Bindiya Rana from Gender Interactive Alliance (GIA) said the bloodsoaked body was discovered by her chela (apprentice) at around 8pm.

“Amma Hajjani’s relatives found the gates of her house open and her valuables scattered... they were unable to find her as she was missing for two to three hours," she said. "After searching everywhere, her chela found the body. The body had bruises on the head as if she was hit by an iron."

According to Rana, a violent incident from the area had been reported last year as well. “Incidents of violence and harassment are common in the area and rarely reported to the police," she added. "The transgender community are forced to live in this area, mostly home to bachelors from outside of Karachi, because they are not allowed to rent homes elsewhere."

Hajan, Rana added, lived alone in her rented house and used to survive on donations given by the community. “Amma Hajjani loved animals and kept a lot of goats as pets," she said. "She accommodated many transgenders at her place...the transgender community of the area is in a state of shock."



She had been living in Karachi for 40 years. However, was laid to rest by immediate family members in her ancestral town, Qambar city in rural Sindh, on Wednesday.

While the family has refused to conduct a postmortem or even register an FIR of the incident, transgender activists want to pursue the murder case.

The plight of transgender persons has often been highlighted by activists and the civil society. Last year in December, a protest was organised outside the Karachi Press Club against a rise in incidents of violence against the community.

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