Remand of murder accused extended

LAHORE

An anti-terrorism court on Thursday extended five-day physical remand of one Parveen Rafique and her son-in-law, accused of burning alive her 17-year-old daughter in the name of honour who had contracted marriage of her own choice.

The Factory Area police produced both accused before the court and sought extension in their physical remand to complete the investigation. The court has extended the physical custody of the accused directing police to submit investigation report on next hearing.

Previously, the court had remanded Anees, brother of the deceased girl. As per incident details, newly-wed bride Zeenat was burnt alive for honour allegedly by her mother and two others over contracting love marriage in the Factory Area police limits. A case was registered on the complaint of victim’s husband named Hassan Khan, a resident of Chungi Amar Sadhu. He is a motorcycle mechanic by profession. Hassan in his statement contended that he contracted love marriage with the victim on May 29 through a local court. Three days back, victim’s cousin Mushtaq Ahmad visited his house and asked her to go back home so
that marriage ceremony could be held in a proper way. On the day of the incident, Hassan Khan got information that his in-laws were subjecting his wife to torture. He rushed there along with his father and witnessed that his brother-in-law Mushtaq and mother-in-law were setting her ablaze. As a result, she received multiple burns and died on the spot. Police after being informed reached the scene and collected evidences. Police registered a case against three suspects, including the victim’s mother, brother Anees and brother-in-law Mushtaq, under Sections 302 (premeditated murder) and 336/8 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). Later, autopsy report of the deceased revealed that the girl was tortured and was tied to a bed. The report further stated that Zeenat had rope marks around her neck.