LAHORE/ TOBA TEK SINGH: Punjab Prosecutor General (PG) Syed Farhad Ali Shah said on Friday the horrific murder of an unmarried woman by her brother in Toba Tek Singh had been declared a high-profile criminal case.

He said the district police officer (DPO), the superintendent of police (SP) and the district prosecutor of Toba Tek Singh had been summoned on April 1 along with the case record. He told the media the officers would be given a line of action for investigation and gathering testimonies to ensure conviction in the case.

Mr Shah said that in line with the chief minister’s vision, the prosecution department would continue to play its role in making Punjab a crime free province.

Maria, 22, was murdered by her brother Faisal in the presence of her father and other family members. A video of the gruesome murder shows Faisal suffocating his sister to death.

The police arrested the victim’s father Abdul Sattar and brothers, Faisal and Shahzad.

Shahzad had filmed the incident on the March 17 night using his mobile phone.

The family had buried the victim’s body in the village graveyard.

TWO-DAY REMAND: Judicial Magistrate Talat Javed has granted a two-day physical remand for both suspects in the Maria murder case -- her brother Faisal and father Abdul Sattar -- following the Sadar police’s request. Their arrest came 13 days after Maria’s murder on the night of March 17 in Chak 477 JB, Allowal.

Disturbing footage are online showing Maria being strangled by her brother.

Also, police have taken into custody Faisal’s elder brother Shahbaz and his wife for questioning. Sources said that DNA samples from Faisal, Shahbaz, and Abdul Sattar have been dispatched for testing at the Punjab Forensic Science Lab.

Meanwhile, Kuasar Perveen, Maria’s elder sister, says she received a call from Faisal after midnight, who claimed Maria fell ill after breaking her fast. Upon arrival at her parents’ house, she found Maria dead, and while bathing Maria’s body, she observed torture marks.

The initial autopsy report confirmed broken neck bones and evident torture marks on her body.

Inquiries into the Maria case were also conducted by the National Commission for Human Rights of Pakistan, where Provincial Coordinator Muhammad Khalid and Law Officer Mian Waqar Ahmad visited Maria’s house and engaged with local residents.

They also met with District Police Officer Ibadat Nisar and journalists to gather information regarding the case.

Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2024