Natural death or murder?: Alleged victim of domestic violence dies in coma

Family says victim died after being beaten by husband; in-laws blame epileptic seizure.

ABBOTABAD: An epileptic woman who was allegedly beaten by her husband died on Tuesday after remaining in coma for four days. The woman’s father, Muhammad Pervez of Langra village, claims his daughter died after she was subjected to physical torture by her in-laws.

Officials of the Ayub Medical Complex confirmed that the victim, Shehli Huma, 21, was admitted to the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit due to a head injury on October 18. She also bore torture marks on her body, the officials added.

However, the police have not taken action against the woman’s in-laws, citing another medical report which states that Huma died of an epileptic seizure.

The victim’s father claimed his daughter was hospitalised after she was beaten by her husband, Gulraiz, but her in-laws forcibly took her home. He said when he came to visit her, she was lying unconscious. He said he took her back to the hospital, where she died after remaining in coma for four days.

The victim’s family told the police that Huma was suffering from epilepsy but her husband and in-laws subjected her to domestic violence instead of getting her treated for the disease. However, the victim’s in-laws have denied these accusations and maintain that Huma died while suffering an epileptic seizure.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party lawmaker Naeema Nisar visited the deceased’s family and assured them legal support if they wish to pursue a case against Gulraiz and his family.

Huma was married to Gulraiz about two years back. She leaves behind a four-month-old son.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 24^th, 2012.