Rickshaw driver turns approver in Sidra murder case

Two major developments have emerged in the Sidra Bibi honour killing case as Rickshaw driver Khayal Muhammad has confessed to his involvement and turned state witness, while the initial postmortem report confirmed that the victim died of suffocation due to strangulation.

No physical injuries were found on her body. Samples from various parts of the victim’s body have been sent to a Lahore lab for forensic testing, with results expected by the end of August.

Duty Civil Judge Samrah Waheed granted a further four-day physical remand for six suspects, while Khayal Muhammad was sent to Adiala Jail on judicial remand.

Investigators requested a seven-day remand for jirga head Ismatullah Khan, the victim’s father Arab Gul, her brother, father-in-law, first husband Mani Gul, and suspects Zafarullah, Ziaur Rehman, and Saleh alias Saleem Gul. They cited the need to recover the murder weapon—a pillow—and the loader rickshaw used to transport the body.

The defence argued that, since the postmortem showed no signs of torture, only Mani Gul and Khayal Muhammad should remain in custody. The court ordered the remaining five suspects to be sent on judicial remand.

At the hearing, the judge questioned why the suspects’ faces were covered. Police responded that it was a high-profile case and their identities were concealed from the media. The court ordered the coverings removed in the courtroom.

Muhammad admitted that although he was a professional rickshaw driver, the body was not transported in his vehicle but in a loader rickshaw owned by Mani Gul.

He added that the murder was decided at a jirga held at Ismatullah Khan’s house, and Sidra Bibi was strangled with a pillow. Her father, brother, father-in-law, and first husband were all present during the killing.

The court has summoned the suspects again on August 4 and August 15, directing the investigating team to complete the challan by the next hearing.