Mother of four killed by her family in Battagram

WEB DESK: A woman who married out of choice twelve years ago, was murdered at her parents’ home in Battagram. This was revealed, after a post-mortem report of the victim who also had four children, died from strangulation, was released. Following a court order for exhumation and based on the post-mortem findings, a murder case has been registered against eight suspects, including tribal mediators.

According to police sources, Muhammad Sadiq, son of Miandad, a resident of Battal Sharka, filed a report at Kuzha Banda police station stating that twelve years ago, he had a love marriage with Sakeena, daughter of Abdullah. Despite tribal mediators (jirga members) Shah Jahan and Mian Saeed receiving 800,000 PKR as a settlement (raazi nama) to resolve issues, they never handed the money to the victim’s father.

Girl brutally killed by parents over love marriage  

Two years ago, Muhammad Yousaf (the victim’s maternal uncle) arrived with his son Parvez and took Sadiq’s wife along with their two sons and a daughter to Bandi Go, Battagram from where she was never returned. Sadiq repeatedly attempted to recover his wife and children, and multiple jirgas were held regarding this development. While his two sons were eventually returned, his wife and daughter remained with her family.

Days before the murder, Sakeena secretly contacted Sadiq, expressing her desire to return. However, when she tried to escape, she was strangled to death.

Police have registered an FIR (No. 68) at Kuzha Banda police station under Sections 302 (murder), 311 (punishment for qatl-e-amd), 109 (abetment), 202 (concealing design to commit offense), 147 (rioting), and 149 (unlawful assembly) of the Pakistan Penal Code against eight accused. Investigations are ongoing.

Local sources reveal that the jirga members embezzled the settlement money instead of giving it to the victim’s father, prolonging the dispute. The victim’s choice marriage ultimately led to her tragic end. Sources also warned that the surviving daughter and Sadiq himself remain at risk.