Court Grants More Time for Interrogation in Pindi Honour Killing Case

APP

Rawalpindi: A local court in Rawalpindi on Monday extended the physical remand of one suspect and sent two others to judicial custody in the ongoing investigation of a brutal honour killing case in the Pirwadhai area.

Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate Qamar Abbas Tarar granted a three-day extension in physical remand for Khayal Muhammad, the rickshaw driver accused of transporting the victim’s body to the graveyard following a jirga decision.

He was presented in court by Investigating Officer (IO) Sub-Inspector Shabbir Hussain, who requested a five-day extension, stating the suspect was evasive and the rickshaw used in the crime was yet to be recovered. The court ordered Khayal to be produced again on August 1.

Two other suspects—Saif-ur-Rehman Khan, secretary of the local cemetery committee, and gravedigger Rashid Mahmood—were sent to Adiala Jail on judicial remand after the IO confirmed their interrogation had been completed. Their next court appearances are scheduled for August 12 and 25 due to the summer judicial recess.

Meanwhile, six primary suspects in the case—including former Union Council Vice Chairman Ismatullah Khan (a cousin of the victim), her father Arab Gul, brother Zafarullah Khan, husband Zia-ur-Rehman, father-in-law Saleh Muhammad Khan alias Saleem Khan, and uncle-in-law Amani Gul alias Mani Gul—are already in police custody on four-day physical remand. They are also set to appear in court on August 1.

The suspects allegedly murdered the victim, Sidra, in the name of honour during a jirga, secretly buried her body, and filed a false kidnapping case to cover up the crime.

Pirwadhai police initially registered FIR No. 926 on July 21 under Section 496A of the Pakistan Penal Code, based on a complaint by Zia-ur-Rehman. He alleged that Sidra, whom he married on January 17, had fled with Rs150,000 and 10 tolas of gold on July 11, claiming she had eloped with a man named Usman.

After the murder came to light during the investigation, police added Sections 302, 311, 201, and 109 to the FIR.