Man sets minor stepdaughter on fire

Victim suffers 25% burns; case registered on mother’s complaint

KARACHI:

Police have registered a case against a man who allegedly doused his eight-year-old stepdaughter with petrol and set her ablaze.

As per details, the man, identified as Tariq, poured petrol on his stepdaughter named Vania, and set her on fire on February 16, resulting in burns on more than 25 per cent of her body. The girl’s mother, resident of Colony 36B, tried to hide the incident from police out of fear of her husband.

She sought treatment for her daughter at both the Civil Hospital and the Indus Hospital. Recounting the incident, the girl's mother told Landhi police that she has been married to a man named Tariq for two years, with whom she has a son. Her eight-year-old daughter from a previous marriage also lives with them. After returning from her tuition on Feb 16, Vania was subjected to physical abuse by her stepfather.

When the mother intervened, she too was assaulted, and in a fit of rage, Tariq set the girl on fire. The mother managed to rush the girl to the Civil Hospital, but now she faces threats from her husband.

Korangi SSP Hassan Sardar Niaz confirmed that Landhi police have registered a case against Tariq on the woman’s complaint. Tariq, the accused, is currently on the run.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 22^nd, 2024.