22 October 2004	Friday	07 Ramazan 1425

KARACHI, Oct 21: The suspect in the murder case of artist Afreen Baig stated on Thursday that his master Farooq Mengal, the husband of the artist, induced him for committing the murder.

In his confessional statement before a judicial magistrate, driver Mohammed Bux Umrani stated that Farooq Mengal had promised to give him Rs1 million reward.

The driver quoted Mengal as saying that he suspected illicit relationships between Afreen and Masjood, her former husband.

"Saab told me that he cannot divorce his wife due to social pressure as he has already divorced his first wife".

The driver stated that in case of divorce, Mengal was bound to give Rs1 million alimony to Afreen.

Giving details of the murder, Mohammad Bux said he sent his wife, Zahida, to Afreen's room for brining Afreen's mobile phone downstairs.

He said that as Afreen became infuriated and came downstairs chasing his wife, he slapped her and then trussed her up with a sofa.

Then, he said, he made her sign two cheques for Rs250,000 each. He said he made the woman drink the entire bottle of Red Label (Scotch Whisky). Moreover, he said, then he made her drink a glass of milk, laced with sedatives.

Mohammad Bux said the woman started vomiting and he gagged her mouth and killed her. "Then, I shifted her to the bathtub and left her to die for purchasing air tickets for his wife and himself.

Later, Mohammad Bux was remanded to the judicial custody till 29th.