Woman 'tortured to death' by in-laws

KARACHI:

Another woman joined millions of the victims of domestic violence, dying a painful death due to brutal torture by her husband and in-laws.

The youthful, bright and beautiful, 22-year-old Asma had raised red flags, called her parents, and narrated the ordeal of beatings and abuse, but like many South Asian people, they did not realized the gravity of the situation until it was too late.

Asma's family, who died mysteriously at a private hospital in Gulshan-e-Maymar, has accused her husband and in-laws of torturing her to death.

The victim, Asma, mother of a seven-month-old child, was reportedly brought to the hospital in critical condition, where she was pronounced dead.

According to Asma's brother, on December 15, his sister told him that she wanted to divorce her husband, Tanveer, who she accused of physical abuse. He assured his sister that he would visit her once their father returned from work, but later that evening, Asma called again, saying her spouse was beating her before abruptly hanging up.

Around 10.30pm, Tanveer called Asma's brother, informing him that his sister was on a ventilator at a hospital and her condition was critical. As soon as he arrived at the hospital, he was told that Asma was already dead. Hospital staff revealed that Asma had been brought dead, and Tanveer had offered to pay for each minute she remained on the ventilator, a request that was reportedly declined by the hospital.

Asma's family denied she had been suffering from any illness, saying that she was in good health prior to the incident. Her brother claims that this was not the first time Tanveer had physically abused his sister. He believes Asma's death was a result of torture at the hands of her husband and in-laws.

According to her sister, Asma had frequently shared details of the abuse she endured. Asma had apparently reached the breaking point and had made the decision to seek a divorce. The sister added that the entire family, including her in-laws, was involved in the murder, calling for justice and the arrest of the perpetrators.

Meanwhile, police have not confirmed any signs of abuse or poisoning during the post-mortem examination. SHO Khalid Abbasi stated that no clear evidence of torture was found, but investigations are ongoing. Asma's body remains in the hospital's morgue, with the family accusing police of delaying its release.

Woman tortured allegedly by husband, sons

In a ghastly incident of domestic and gender-based-violence, a woman was beaten with chains and rods by her husband and grownup son at her home in Gulistan-e-Johar.

Tired of daily physical and verbal abuse Sana had filed a plea for the dissolution of marriage, and moved to another apartment.

However, her husband Adnan, along with his sons, barged into her flat near Perfume Chowk within the remits of Sharea Faisal police station.

Sana told the police that she had separated from her husband two months ago and applied for a divorce. Currently, she lived separately with her young children.

"Two days ago, Adnan and our elder sons suddenly came to my house and subjected me to severe torture," she claimed. "Adnan hit men in the head and face with a chain, causing injuries," she added in an application that she filed against her husband in Sharea Faisal police station.

Police said that they would register a formal FIR in the light of the medical report of the injured woman.