12-year-old domestic worker tortured to death in Rawalpindi; three arrested

After a 12-year-old girl, employed as a domestic worker at a house in the Asghar Mall Scheme, succumbed to her injuries, Banni police arrested three people allegedly involved in her torture and murder on Tuesday night.

According to Dawn News, the minor girl passed away at Holy Family Hospital in the garrison city. The police registered an FIR on the complaint of her father, Sanaullah, under the Punjab Protection of Helpless and Neglected Children Act. The case also includes charges related to torture, murder, illegal detention, destruction of evidence, and concealing the crime.

Iqra, whose condition had deteriorated, was moved to the hospital, where doctors found severe injuries on her head and other parts of her body. According to the FIR, the complainant, Sanaullah, stated that his 12-year-old daughter had been working in Rashid Rafiq’s house for approximately two years and was paid Rs8,000 per month.

The complainant said his daughter had called him 10 days earlier, informing him that Shafiq and his wife had tortured her. However, due to financial constraints, he was unable to travel to Rawalpindi and consoled his daughter over the phone. He rushed to the hospital upon learning of her admission.

Doctors informed the father that his daughter had been severely tortured, suffering multiple bone fractures. He alleged that Shafiq and his wife had kept his daughter in solitary confinement, subjected her to brutal torture, and deprived her of medical treatment. According to the police, the couple has 12 children, and their daughter also worked in the house for Rs8,000 per month.

A few days ago, Shafiq’s daughter accused Iqra of stealing her chocolates and complained to her mother. In response, the couple subjected the minor girl to violence, police said. She was tortured with a cooking utensil, suffered multiple injuries, was tied up, and left hungry for an extended period. Due to the lack of timely medical attention, she eventually lost consciousness and succumbed to her injuries.