SHC laments murder of girl by family member after she sought protection from ex-spouse

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has observed that the issues of gender-based violence and societal oppression demand continued attention and action from both the legal system and society as a whole.

Issuing an order on a petition of a 14-year-old minor girl Shahzadi who had sought protection against her ex-spouse, a single bench of the SHC comprising Justice Sana Akram Minhas observed that though the protection plea had been granted, the counsel for the petitioner reported a tragic turn of events.

The high court was informed that the petitioner had been murdered in Karachi by her maternal uncle. The petitioner’s counsel produced a copy of the FIR registered at the Awami Colony police station and submitted that now murder trial proceedings had been initiated before the relevant court.

The SHC observed that it was an appalling and deeply distressing state of affairs as women faced violence and persecution when they exercised their free will in choosing their spouse, and they risked their very lives when they sought to escape an unhappy or oppressive marriage.

The SHC observed that such incidents laid bare the brutal reality of a patriarchal society, where men held the position of decision-makers and where entrenched customs continued to dictate every aspect of women's lives.

The high court observed that since the petitioner had tragically lost her life, it had been left with no alternative but to abate the proceedings. The SHC observed that the untimely demise of the petitioner not only brought the legal matter to an unfortunate close but also highlighted the harsh realities faced by women, even in their most feeble attempts to stand up for their rights.

The high court observedthat while the proceedings may formally end here, the underlying issues of gender-based violence and societal oppression demanded continued attention and action from both the legal system and society as a whole.

It is pertinent to mention that the petitioner had approached the SHC for protection from her ex-spouse and the high court had granted her protection on May 10, 2024. However, the petitioner was killed by her maternal uncle in July 2024.