Sindh seeks legal action over banned jirga in rape and suicide case
Legal action is being sought over a jirga in a rape and forced suicide case in Tharparkar, Sindh. A fact-finding team from the Sindh Human Rights Department has recommended legal action against influential individuals who held the jirga in February 2023, which attempted to force the victim’s family to pardon the convicted rapist in exchange for blood money.
Jirgas are banned in the province, and rape cannot be pardoned. The victim, 16-year-old Leela Meghwar, committed suicide in March 2020, six months after being raped. A court convicted the rapist in September 2021. The fact-finding team also called for police protection for the victim’s family and for further research into the case.
Inter-Faith Couple Commits Suicide in Pakistan
A Muslim man and a Hindu girl committed suicide by jumping into a well in Nagarparkar village, as their families opposed their inter-faith relationship. Their bodies were found holding hands with a rope tied around them. A suicide note was discovered from their belongings, requesting not to disturb their families.
This is the second similar incident in the district within the last two months. The couple’s families identified their bodies, and the police took them for post-mortem before giving them to the heirs. Surachand, where the incident happened, has almost equal numbers of Hindu and Muslim households.
Five Arrested for Desecrating Minority Worship Place in Sargodha
5 arrested for vandalizing minority worship place in Sargodha. The Ahmadiyya community spokesperson called for protection of religious minorities, citing a violation of Pakistan’s constitution and a 2014 court decision.
Sargodha DPO Faisal Kamran confirmed the arrest of the main suspects and stated that strict legal action would be taken against them. The police will also consult the Archaeology Department to verify the age of the worship place. Kamran denied the presence of police and district administration officials during the attack and emphasized that no one would be allowed to take the law into their own hands.
Sindh High Court Commutes Death Sentence to Life Imprisonment in Triple Murder Case
Man’s death sentence in triple murder case commuted to life imprisonment by Sindh High Court. Mohammad Shadeed was previously sentenced to death in April 2022 for killing his wife and two children in their Orangi Town home in April 2019.
The SHC commuted the sentence after hearing the appeal and examining the evidence, noting that the case relied heavily on circumstantial evidence and witness testimony regarding the appellant’s high temperament and domestic disputes. The murder weapon was recovered based on information provided by the appellant, and the forensic report confirmed it was stained with human blood.
The verdict referenced a similar case where the Supreme Court converted a death penalty to a life term based on circumstantial evidence and extrajudicial confession.