A 23-year-old man arrested for the alleged murder of a 40-year-old woman died under mysterious circumstances while in police custody late Wednesday night in Karachi, prompting authorities to await post-mortem findings to determine the cause of death.
Suspect's Death in Custody
The deceased suspect, identified as Muhammad Khan, had been taken into custody after a murder case was registered at the Taimuria police station over the death of Rubina, a mother of seven. The complaint was lodged by the victim's brother, Ali Nawaz. Following his arrest, Khan was handed over to the Investigation Wing of Joharabad police for questioning. According to the investigating officer, the suspect's condition suddenly deteriorated during detention and he became semi-conscious, prompting police to shift him to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital under official supervision. However, he died while undergoing treatment.
Police Deny Torture Allegations
Police officials stated that the suspect had no known medical condition and was not believed to be a drug user. They also denied allegations of torture, asserting that the exact cause of death would only be known after the post-mortem report is received. The case has raised questions about police custody procedures, though authorities maintain that all protocols were followed.
Background of the Murder Case
The case stems from the discovery of Rubina's body at a house in Arafat Town's informal settlement in Taimuria on June 23. Police responded to reports of a woman's death and took the body into custody before calling in the Crime Scene Unit to collect evidence. At the time, Khan, who had identified himself as the deceased woman's husband, was detained on suspicion. According to Taimuria SHO Fahad, Khan initially told investigators that Rubina had fallen ill after eating rice three days earlier and that her condition gradually worsened before she died at home.
Details of the Victim
Police said the woman had apparently been dead for 10 to 12 hours before authorities reached the scene. Investigators also revealed that it had not been independently verified whether Khan was legally married to the deceased. Rubina was reportedly divorced from her former husband, Yaseen, and was the mother of seven children, including five daughters and two sons. The post-mortem examination of Rubina's body is expected to shed light on the exact cause of her death, while the suspect's post-mortem will determine the circumstances of his death in custody.
