Hina's autopsy reveals brutal torture

Report exposes severe injuries, including broken neck and 27-centimetre head wound

RAWALPINDI:

Investigators probing the high-profile murder of Hina Javed gathered additional photographs allegedly showing brutal torture before her death. The initial post-mortem report also revealed serious injuries to the victim's body.

According to the autopsy report, Hina's neck was broken and a deep, 27-centimetre-long wound was found on the back of her head. Multiple marks of violence and bruising were also found on her face, neck, arms and hands. The report further stated that her lips were torn and both arms bore visible signs of violence. Her elbows were allegedly pierced with a screwdriver.

The report also recorded blood in her lungs and an accumulation of blood in the pericardium, the membrane surrounding the heart. The broken neck and unusually long wound on the back of her head have raised further questions about the severity of the alleged torture before her death.

Hina was allegedly murdered on August 20 in Rawalpindi after being subjected to violence at her in-laws' home. It was also alleged that her body was subsequently hung in a bathroom from a shower fitting.

Her husband, Faisal Asghar, and domestic worker Zeeshan Arshad, both nominated in the murder case registered at the Civil Lines Police Station, remain in Adiala Jail on judicial remand.

Meanwhile, the victim's family has expressed a lack of confidence in the police investigation and demanded the formation of a judicial commission to ensure an impartial inquiry into the murder.

The case has also reached Parliament's Standing Committee on Interior, which has included it in the formal agenda of its October 29 meeting and sought a briefing from senior Punjab police officials on the investigation and progress made so far.

The committee has summoned the Inspector General of Punjab Police and Additional Inspector General of the Crime Control Department (CCD) Sohail Zafar Chattha. Rawalpindi Regional Police Officer Babar Sarfraz Alpa and Senior Superintendent of Police (Operations) Malik Tariq Mehboob have also been asked to brief the committee on the case.

The parliamentary committee has invited Hina's family to attend the October 29 meeting, where they will be able to present their concerns and position regarding the investigation.

In view of the latest medical findings, the family's reservations about the investigation and the case's referral to the parliamentary committee, the October 29 meeting has assumed considerable significance, sources said.