Initial report hints at sexual abuse of minor worker in Ranipur

SUKKUR: The 10-year-old domestic help, who was allegedly murdered by an influential Pir in Sindh's Ranipur town, was subjected to “severe torture” and also suspected sexual abuse, a medical board formed to conduct the post-mortem examination of the minor has concluded.

The minor was stated to be the daughter of Nadeem Ali Tharro — a resident of village Ali Muhammad Tharro, Khanawahan, near Mehrabpur, District Nausharoferoz — and was said to be employed as a domestic helper in the house of Pir Asad Shah Jeelani, a member of a notable family in Khairpur district's Ranipur.

Asad was arrested last week by the district police for allegedly torturing his 10-year-old maid to death after video clips of the minor victim's body bearing severe torture marks went viral on social media. 

In the video, the seriously injured girl is seen struggling to sit up on her bed but soon collapses. The video sparked condemnation across the country.

Shaheed Benazirabad District Additional Police Surgeon Dr Amanullah Bhanghwar said Sunday that the medical board prepared an initial five-page report.

The post-mortem report revealed "decomposition with bluish discoloration on right side of face and forehead and greenish mottled discoloration over the left side of face, neck and shoulder".

The preliminary autopsy report also stated that the abdomen of the deceased girl was distended.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Khairpur Mir Rohal Khan Khoso told the media that accused Jillani was brought to GIMS Hospital Khairpur for a DNA test and DNA samples of four others working in a mansion of Pir had also been collected.

He said that the mansion of the Pir of Ranipur was not sealed, however, police were deployed there to collect the required evidence related to the investigation.

The SSP further said he was determined to rescue other maids and employees from the Pir's mansion if they were being held hostage.

He said that the final post-mortem will confirm whether the minor girl was subjected to sexual assault.

The senior cop said that the suspended SHO Ranipur, doctor, and compounder involved in protecting the culprits will be taken into remand.

The body of the 10-year-old girl was exhumed on Saturday in the native village Khan Wahan in District Nausharoferoz by a medical team from Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Hospital in Nawabshah, under the supervision of a judicial magistrate Jameel Ahmed Rajper from Kandario.