In a twist in the case of death of a nine-year-old maid, Fatima Furro, at a Pir’s (spiritual healer) residence in Ranipur area of Khairpur due to torture and rape a few months ago, five eyewitnesses have changed their statements on Saturday. Ujala and Swera, Fatima’s cousins, who also worked with her at the Pir’s home, and three others namely Sagheer, Muhammad Hassan and Naseem have denied they saw the suspects in the case committing the crime. Following the development, the suspects’ lawyer has filed a petition in the court, seeking bail for his clients.  On November 9, 2023, it was reported that the DNA samples of Pir Asad Shah, the prime suspect in the murder case of Fatima, had matched with the semen obtained from the clothes of the victim, who worked at his home.

Fatima was found dead under mysterious circumstances on August 14. Later, a post-mortem report confirmed that the minor was also sexually abused. It also confirmed torture with the child. An investigation into the incident was initiated after an FIR was lodged on the complaint of the girl’s mother, Shabnam Khatoon, under Sections 302 (intentional murder) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of a common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) at Ranipur police station. During the investigation, the police arrested suspects Pir Asad Shah, his wife Hina Shah, his father-in-law Pir Fayyaz Shah, and Imtiaz Mirasi.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan