The Anti-Terrorism Court in Khairpur has dropped terrorism charges in the case of 10-year-old Fatima Farrukh, a domestic worker who was reportedly sexually assaulted and murdered in the home of a prominent religious figure in Rani Pur. The key accused, Asad Shah, Fayyaz Shah, Hina Shah, and Imtiaz Mirasi, were present via video link.
During the session, the victim’s relatives unexpectedly withdrew their initial testimonies, leading to the removal of terrorism charges and the case’s transfer to the Sessions Court in Khairpur. This development follows the public release of Fatima’s post-mortem report, which disclosed signs of brutal trauma and confirmed sexual assault before her death.
The case initially gained national attention on August 16, 2024, after a distressing video of Fatima’s body surfaced online. Subsequent revelations included that she had been buried hastily without a post-mortem, and the local police had prematurely closed the investigation. The family, having entrusted Fatima to the care of the religious figure due to financial hardship, initially cited illness as the cause of death. However, police investigations later confirmed abuse, sparking widespread demands for justice.
Amid these proceedings, Fatima’s mother, Shabnam, reported being coerced by a relative of the accused to implicate only one suspect. Despite the intimidation, she remains resolute in seeking justice for her daughter.
The case also highlighted serious misconduct among medical personnel. The police detained Imtiaz Mir, who was allegedly treating Fatima. Investigations later revealed that he was not a qualified medical dispenser but a hospital janitor, adding a layer of deception and negligence to the already tragic case.
