‘Killed for seeking divorce’: Family of murdered woman appeals for justice

Accuse deaf-mute husband of murder, police of partiality.

SWAT:

The family of a woman, who was abducted and murdered after filing for divorce, has accused the police of partiality and sought help from the Chief Justice of Pakistan.

Tehsil Bibi of Asbanr village, Lower Dir, had filed for divorce from her mute and hearing-impaired husband, Fazal Amin, on grounds that he is impotent, her family stated at a press conference at the Swat Press Club.

Her mother, father, and uncle claimed that when they were returning from the court on May 9, about 12 men of the other party blocked the road at Ponda Dheria and abducted Bibi at gunpoint. The men also shot her uncle, Bacha Rawan, in the leg and left him critically wounded.

However, the family claims that when they tried to register an FIR, the Station House Officer (SHO) undermined the issue and recorded a minor case against the culprits. They alleged that even the investigation officer did not pay heed to their pleas.

“The same night the SHO informed us that Bibi had been murdered,” Rawan told The Express Tribune. “When we received the body, it was mutilated: her throat was slit, she bore numerous torture marks all over and had one of her eyes gouged out,” he explained painfully.

The family has blamed the police for inaction and for failing to register a case against the accused party. They have appealed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan and Deputy Inspector General Malakand Division to provide them justice.

Under section 2 of the Dissolution of Muslim Act 1939, a woman has the right to terminate her marriage if her husband is impotent.

When contacted, Deputy Superintendant of Police Yousaf Ali assured that “no partiality on behalf of the police will be tolerated”. He said the police have arrested four out of the five accused and have also recovered weapons used in the killing. He further said that the case is being dealt with in court and search for the fifth accused is underway.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 1^st, 2012.