Torture victim moves court against harassment on social media

Daughter, wife of industrialist named in plea

CHAK JHUMRA:

A medical student, who was allegedly kidnapped, tortured and filmed by the family of an industrialist, has submitted applications to the court and police officers to take action against two women over what she called ‘character assassination’ and harassment on social media.

Khadija Ghafoor, a resident of Sargodha Road, submitted her application to the police, the court and commissioner Faisalabad through her lawyer Rana Muhammad Sikandar Hayat Bhatti.

It was stated in the application that she was a medical student and registered cases in Police Station Women and Police Station Cyber Crime Wing Circle, which are being heard in the court of Additional and Sessions Judge Rana Saeed.

The application further stated that Sheikh Danish and the other accused were very influential people and have political influence in Faisalabad district.

Anna Ali Sheikh, daughter of Sheikh Danish and Zara Shakur threatened to kill her over not reconciling the case and took to social media. Police officers are investigating the matter.

In August of last year, video footage of Khadija being tortured by Sheikh Danish and his family went viral on social media.

Allegedly, Danish and five other suspects kidnapped and tortured Khadija. Police took action against the six suspects after the footage spread like wildfire on social media.

In the harrowing visuals, Sheikh Danish, who runs a lucrative textile business, can be seen mercilessly thrashing Khadija and hurling verbal abuse at their residence in the upscale Paradise Valley neighbourhood.

Danish and his daughter, along with other members of the household, cut Khadija’s hair and even made her lick their shoes, all while recording the abuse and humiliation.

Meanwhile, Khadija’s lawyer Aftab Bajwa stated before the court during a hearing earlier this month that due to Khadija’s “refusal” to reconcile with Danish, the administration of the University on Sargodha Road did not issue her roll number slip for her final year exam.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 24^th, 2023.