Most accused secure bails in siblings' confinement case

Late Jabeen and her brother were held captive for two years and poisoned slowly

CHAKWAL:

All accused, except the prime suspect, have secured bail in a notorious case of illegal confinement of a man and his sister over a property dispute in the Ghugh area of Chakwal.

The suspects allegedly kept the victims confined at an outhouse for two years. Except for the prime suspect, all accused have been granted bail, as the police have 'failed' to submit a challan (charge sheet) to the court even after more than two months. Furthermore, the forensic report of the deceased victim, Jabeen Bibi, has yet to be received.

Frustrated by the inaction, the uncle of the affected siblings has approached the court to become the complainant in the case. The state-appointed lawyer for the surviving sister has also raised serious concerns about the quality of the police investigation.

The incident occurred in the Ghugh area of Chakwal, where a brother and sister—heirs to 900 kanals of valuable land—were allegedly held captive in a haveli (mansion) for two years and slowly poisoned.

The incident only came to light after an anonymous letter reached the Punjab Chief Minister's portal, prompting an FIR to be registered at Chakwal's Neela Police Station. Three paternal cousins were named as accused. Jabeen Bibi, a university graduate, succumbed to the abuse, while her brother Hassan Raza survived and was taken into protective custody by the police. However, despite over two months having passed, the police have not submitted a challan, nor has the forensic report of Jabeen's death been finalised.

Due to this delay and negligence, all suspects except the prime accused, Chaudhry Ansar Mehmood, have secured bail. Frustrated by the lack of progress, Rafaqat Hussain, the maternal uncle of the siblings, has initiated legal proceedings to become the complainant in the case.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Rafaqat alleged that the suspects brutally imprisoned the two siblings, depriving them of food and basic necessities. "They were forced to eat scraps—radishes and carrots gathered from garbage heaps—to survive. We demand that the surviving brother, Hassan Raza, be handed over to us so we can get him proper medical care. His condition will not improve while in police custody," Rafaqat stated. "I am ready to take full responsibility so that justice can be served."

Rafaqat also revealed that he has submitted a request to the Sessions Court to officially become the complainant. However, police cooperation remains lacking. A second petition has also been filed, seeking access to the challan and investigative details.

Former Assistant Attorney General of Pakistan and current government prosecutor Nayyar Abbas Awan has also strongly criticised the police investigation.