Four men kidnapped, gang-raped, and murdered a 40-year-old Christian widow identified as Shazia Imran and later doused her body with acid in Lahore, the victim’s brother said.
The horrific incident occurred on June 6, and it has spread a wave of fear and anger among minorities.
As per the details, Shazia was living in the Mehar Town area of Lahore with her three kids. The victim’s family claimed that the prime accused, Mani Gujjar, had been forcing Shazia to convert to Islam and marry him. The family also claimed that Shazia’s husband, Imran, was killed 18 months ago by the same ‘thugs’, but the police deliberately turned that murder case into a case of accident to shield the accused.
The family said that the accused had threatened Shazia with dire consequences if she did not meet his demands.
The 40-year-old Christian victim was working as a caretaker at a daycare center at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) to earn bread and butter for her children.
On the tragic day of June 6, Shazia went to work, but she didn’t return home. The next day, the family filed a report at the police station, and after a few hours, the police informed them that they had found a body on abandoned land.
While talking about Shazia’s brutal murder, the family said that her throat was slit by a sharp-edged object after being raped, and acid was poured on her body.
It is pertinent to mention here that the family nominated four accused in the first information report, but the police have only arrested Mani Gujjar so far. Gujjar’s brother and two cousins are still at large.
While expressing grave concern over this tragic and inhumane incident, Voice For Justice Chairperson Joseph Jansen called for strict action against the culprits and demanded swift justice for the victimized family.
He said that the persecution of religious minorities needs to be curbed as soon as possible, and the authorities concerned should adopt strict measures to ensure the safety and security of the marginalized segment of society.
Disturbingly, incidents, where Christian girls and women are subjected to pressure, harassment, and violence due to their refusal to convert to Islam, are alarmingly common, he added.
The horrific incident occurred on June 6, and it has spread a wave of fear and anger among minorities.
As per the details, Shazia was living in the Mehar Town area of Lahore with her three kids. The victim’s family claimed that the prime accused, Mani Gujjar, had been forcing Shazia to convert to Islam and marry him. The family also claimed that Shazia’s husband, Imran, was killed 18 months ago by the same ‘thugs’, but the police deliberately turned that murder case into a case of accident to shield the accused.
The family said that the accused had threatened Shazia with dire consequences if she did not meet his demands.
The 40-year-old Christian victim was working as a caretaker at a daycare center at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) to earn bread and butter for her children.
On the tragic day of June 6, Shazia went to work, but she didn’t return home. The next day, the family filed a report at the police station, and after a few hours, the police informed them that they had found a body on abandoned land.
While talking about Shazia’s brutal murder, the family said that her throat was slit by a sharp-edged object after being raped, and acid was poured on her body.
It is pertinent to mention here that the family nominated four accused in the first information report, but the police have only arrested Mani Gujjar so far. Gujjar’s brother and two cousins are still at large.
While expressing grave concern over this tragic and inhumane incident, Voice For Justice Chairperson Joseph Jansen called for strict action against the culprits and demanded swift justice for the victimized family.
He said that the persecution of religious minorities needs to be curbed as soon as possible, and the authorities concerned should adopt strict measures to ensure the safety and security of the marginalized segment of society.
Disturbingly, incidents, where Christian girls and women are subjected to pressure, harassment, and violence due to their refusal to convert to Islam, are alarmingly common, he added.