SARGODHA: A man allegedly murdered his one and a half years old daughter on the “order” of a “faith-healer” in Hathi Chowk locality of Azam Park area here on Sunday.

According to police, the suspect, Mutahir Rasool, married Ms Sundas some three years ago and the couple had a daughter, Sawera.

A few months back, the couple had a quarrel after which the wife left the house and started living with her parents, leaving the baby girl with the husband. She also filed a civil suit against her husband, seeking divorce.

To bring his wife back, Mutahir Rasool contacted one Imran, who claimed to be a faith-healer (pir).

Imran told Mutahir that the baby girl was the root cause of his domestic problems and if he wanted to live peacefully he should “sacrifice” the suckling Sawera by killing her.

Acting upon Imran’s command, the suspect killed the suckling by cutting her jugular vein.

To conceal his crime, the suspect took the dead body to hospital where he claimed she was injured accidentally.

However, the matter was brought to police’s notice and during investigation the suspect’s brother revealed the facts.

Urban Area police have registered a case against six suspects -- Mutahir Rasool, his brothers Mubashir, uncles Abdu Bakar, Manzer, aunt Zahida Bibi and his mother Saira Bibi on the complaint of his wife Sundas, besides two unnamed persons.

Ms Sundas alleged that earlier the “faith-healer” had inflicted cuts on her daughter’s body after which she took Sawera her with to her parent’s house, but her husband forcibly brought the child back to his house.

She also alleged that her mother-in-law was an accomplice in the crime.

Published in Dawn, December 3rd, 2018