Woman confesses to killing 15-year-old daughter

Case was initially reported as suicide; postmortem, forensics proved otherwise

KARACHI:

The Civil Lines police have arrested a woman for allegedly murdering her 15-year-old daughter in what was initially reported as a suicide case.

According to SHO Muhammad Khan, on April 5, police received reports of a suspected suicide at a residence near Street No 12 in Hijrat Colony's D-2 Area. The deceased, identified as Erum, was initially believed to have taken her own life by hanging. However, inconsistencies in the mother's account raised suspicions, triggering a thorough investigation.

During interrogation, the victim's mother, Najma, reportedly confessed to poisoning her daughter with a lethal dose of insecticide before strangling her with a rope and suffocating her with a pillow. She then attempted to stage the scene to resemble a suicide.

SHO Khan stated that forensic evidence and witness statements contradicted Najma's original account. When asked who had taken Erum's body down, Najma claimed she had done it alone - a version police found implausible based on the physical evidence gathered from the scene.

Further investigation revealed a troubling backstory. Najma told police that she had been in a relationship with a man named Abdullah, a resident of Kohat, who had allegedly blackmailed her into marrying her daughter to him.

Despite her daughter's reluctance, Najma arranged a court marriage between Erum and Abdullah in Kohat. However, tensions escalated when Abdullah began pressuring Najma for the bride's immediate ruksati, which Erum reportedly opposed.

"In light of the evidence and Najma's own confession, it is clear that she was directly involved in her daughter's murder," said SHO Khan. Police have also named Abdullah as a co-accused and launched search for him.

A case has been registered under Sections 302 (murder) and 109 (abetment to murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code. The casehas been handed over to the investigation unit for further proceedings.