Bludgeoned to death for making sexual advances
When Zameer* fell silent, Murad* thought he had only fallen unconscious. It was not until the morning -- when the administrator of the seminary in F-6/1 came to wake them up for Fajr prayers -- that it became evident that Zameer had died.
Upon enquiry, Murad admitted to beating Zameer up with a rod for making sexual advances towards him at night. One blow of the rod hit Zameer in the head and he fell to the ground.
“Murad thought Zameer was only unconscious and would be alright in the morning,” the administrator told the police. “He was terrified and did not know what to do,” he added, saying that before picking up the rod, Murad said he had tried to dissuade Zameer many times.
Zameer’s body was taken to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences for autopsy, after which it was handed over to his family in Chakwal. The postmortem established that the blow on the head was the fatal hit -- Zameer died of internal bleeding in his unconscious state, police said.
The police added that Murad was arrested and booked for murder after he confessed to killing his 16-year-old roommate. They added that the rod was also recovered from the room.
The investigation officer said they found no evidence to suggest that Murad was lying or making up a story. “Neither were there any signs that any one else was involved in the murder,” said the police official.
He added that the 16-year-old Murad will be produced before the court on Monday to obtain a judicial remand, after which he will be sent to Adiala jail to be locked up among adult prisoners, as there are no separate cells for juveniles.
*Names changed to protect identity
Published in The Express Tribune, August 1st, 2011.
COMMENTS (10)
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Without knowing all the facts it is clear what is happening in madarsas. It is parent's duty to take care of their kids and protect them from every predator. If the parents would not perform their duties then these unfortunate things would keep happening. Unfortunately the parents are busy reproducing like animals without even thinking about the kids and their future. They conveniently leave the upbringing to the others and God. To all the parents, please do not leave your kids with anybody including close friends and family members especially during the night. God made you responsible for their wellbeing and nobody else.
It's hard to say what should be done unless one question is answered. That question is: what exactly were the actions that he claimed were "sexual advances?" That accusation can fall under the category of personal opinion and there's also a chance that a person mistranslates the smallest things as advances. Some people can sometimes even consider words as sexual advances. That's where the concept of "leading you on" comes from in the dating world. Sometimes people who accuse it are just flattering themselves as well.
He's probably telling the truth. But, that thing called proof is a really inconvenient technicality that's usually required. Most people who kill someone have a habit of bending the truth in their favor with the bonus of the other person not being able to defend themselves, being dead and all.
Murad's case should not be reconsidered just because another 16 year old tried to make some sexual advances towards him, there are much better ways to handle sch situations such as informing an elder, we need to understand that violence is not the solution. His case should be considered because he himself is a 16 years old and one can make mistakes at this age, he shouldn't be put in a jail with adult prisoners, that would just ruin his life.
It is high time that our country acknowledged that there is something called human sexuality (regardless of debating homo/hetro sexuality). The next step would be to educate our children at the right time about it and provide them with caring and trustworthy parents, teachers and counselors who will listen to them. This is a tragic incident and it demonstrates how ignorance and repression leads to sheer tragedy.
Well the guy had the option to say no rather than using the "rod"
Murad should be released soonest possible. He didn't do anything wrong.
Well done Murad. All the children in Madrissahs are vulnerable to sexual assaults from their teachers and fellow students. Each child has the right of self defense against the randy & savage Molvies and maverick fellow students. We donot expect any thing good from Judiciary. The boy will suffer but that is the cost that a poor boy will pay in this country.
Oh the other rod.
If Murad is telling truth then his case should be reconsidered. Further, putting him in Adult Jail will only add to his problems. I guess Zameer parents should step-in and help resolve this problem. I feel really sorry for Murad.
i feel bad for murad somehow... if he is telling the truth...his case should be thought about..