Housemaid murder suspects sent to Lahore

Police will conduct polygraph, voice analysis tests there

RAWALPINDI: Police in Rawalpindi has transferred a couple, who are suspected of brutally beating their minor housemaid eventually causing her death, have been transferred to Lahore for further forensic analysis and tests.

Investigators said that while in Lahore, they will be taken to the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) where a forensic analysis will be conducted of their cellphones. Moreover, they will be subjected to a polygraph test and voice analysis.

Officials said that DNA samples of the male suspect, Hasan Siddique, have already been handed over to scientists at the agency to ascertain whether he had raped the minor housemaid.

The couple, Siddique and Umme Kulsoom, had been arrested by police for allegedly killing their eight-year-old domestic worker Zahra. Officers said that during a medical examination of the victim, they found that she was bleeding in her sensitive parts, raising suspicion that she had been sexually abused apart from being beaten.

Earlier, the grandfather of the girl had appealed to the prime minister, the chief justice, and the inspector general (IG) of Punjab police to intervene in the matter, claiming that the suspects may attempt to escape punishment using legal loopholes. Subsequently, the Rawalpindi city police officer (CPO) had contacted the victim's family and assured them of a fair trial against the suspects.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 11^th, 2020.