Hina Javed murder: DNA report summary reportedly matches all three nominated suspects

RAWALPINDI: A summary of the DNA report in the Hina Javed murder case has reportedly found matches linked to all three suspects nominated in the case, according to details received by the news desk, while the victim’s family has demanded a judicial commission to investigate the killing.

The report names the victim’s husband, Faisal Asghar, her father-in-law, Fayyaz Asghar, and domestic worker Zeeshan Arshad. According to the report, Faisal Asghar’s DNA matched at four locations, and his fingerprints were found on the victim’s neck, her clothes and a room door handle, as well as on a sheet allegedly used in the murder.

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On August 28, the Punjab government declared the murder case, a ‘high-profile case’ and constituted a special committee of senior prosecutors to oversee its investigation and prosecution. Punjab Prosecutor General Irfan Sadiq Tarar had directed Rawalpindi District Public Prosecutor Mian Imran Rahim to ensure effective prosecution of the case.

DNA recovered from Hina Javed’s fingernails matched that of Zeeshan Arshad, the report states, while his fingerprints matched those found on her body. The report adds that the victim resisted during the attack and that the suspects strangled her. The findings and allegations in the report have not been independently verified.

The victim’s brother, Fahad Javed, alleged that efforts were being made to shift the focus of the investigation despite the DNA report, claiming that responsibility for the murder was being placed entirely on Zeeshan Arshad. The family said it had had reservations about the police investigation from the outset and did not have confidence in the probe. It has called on the Punjab government to set up a judicial commission, saying an independent inquiry was needed to address its concerns.

The DNA report was first received by the investigation team on October 9, sources said, and was reviewed by the high-powered committee formed by the Punjab government. The committee met the family at Police Lines Headquarters the same day, with Additional IG CCD Sohail Zafar Chattha and SSP Investigation Saifullah present. Fahad Javed, the family’s lawyer Shah Khawar and other relatives attended, and the committee shared the details of the report with them, sources said. The family voiced its reservations at the meeting.

Chattha assured the family of an impartial and transparent probe and said the remaining forensic reports would be obtained soon. The committee is awaiting those reports, after which the challan will be submitted in court. Inspector Iftikhar Ahmad of the Homicide Investigation Unit has also been added to the investigation team. The committee visited the crime scene on October 9, and all aspects of the case are being reviewed afresh, sources said.

Hina Javed was tortured and killed at her home on August 20. The case is registered at the Civil Lines police station.