Probe into Zohra Shah's murder stalls

Officials say they have yet to receive autopsy, DNA reports in minor's murder case

RAWALPINDI: The probe into the alleged rape and murder of a minor domestic worker in Rawalpindi has seemingly ground to a halt with investigators still awaiting the final results of the autopsy and DNA samples nearly three weeks after the incident.

Zohra Shah, an eight-year-old domestic worker, had been allegedly beaten to death by her employers, including Hasan Siddiqui and his wife Umme Kulsoom, for setting an expensive parrot free on June 1.

Bleeding from the victim’s genitals had raised police suspicion that apart from being beaten, she may have allegedly been sexually assaulted as well.

Following this, the police had included sections of rape in the first information report (FIR) that initially focused only on the murder and assault.

The police had obtained physical remand of both suspects and currently, they are detained with their infant daughter.

Police officials, who are aware of the investigation but are not authorised to speak to the media, told The Express Tribune on the condition of anonymity, that they have yet to ascertain the exact cause of death of the minor as the doctors have yet to provide them with the final post-mortem report.

Without the reports, the police were facing immense difficulties in preparing the charge-sheet against the couple.

After over 20 days, the investigation officer is still unsure about the exact cause of death, sources said, adding that the delays in obtaining the post-mortem report could weaken the case and it may end up favouring the detained couple.

Further, the officials contended that the rape charges against the male employer can not be proved until they receive the DNA reports from the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (FPSA) in Lahore.

Expressing concerns over delays in the case, officials said that it heightens the possibility of a compromise or a deal between both parties as the victim’s family is quite impoverished.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 22^nd, 2020.