Hina Javed case: suspect’s father claims torture in custody, police point to DNA evidence

A new twist has emerged in the Hina Javed case. In fact, the father of Zeeshan Arshad has made a serious allegation. Zeeshan, a domestic worker, was arrested over the murder of Hina Javed in Rawalpindi. According to the father, his son was forced at gunpoint to restrain the victim. Moreover, he says the boy was tortured in custody to extract a confession. In contrast, police say DNA and polygraph evidence back the investigation.

The father’s account

Muhammad Arshad said he had met his son twice in jail. He quoted Zeeshan on what woke him that night. Specifically, Zeeshan said an argument between Hina Javed and her husband, Faisal Asghar, woke him from his sleep. The argument took place on the night of August 20.

According to the father, Hina was running ahead while her husband chased her. Faisal allegedly ordered the young domestic worker to catch her. When he refused to step into the couple’s dispute, Faisal beat him. As a result, Faisal forced him at gunpoint to comply.

Furthermore, Arshad alleged that Faisal had murdered Hina. He claimed Faisal had hanged her body in the bathroom. In addition, he said the blame had since been shifted onto Zeeshan. The aim, he claimed, was to paint him as the prime suspect.

The father said his son had worked at the victim’s house for about seven months. He added that Zeeshan regarded her as a mother. In fact, the family only learnt of the killing eleven days after it happened, he said. Four days after the incident, a man named Tasawwur asked for his identity card. Tasawwur was the man who had arranged Zeeshan’s employment, he added.

However, he rejected claims that his son had a criminal record. According to him, no case had been registered against the 18- or 19-year-old at any police station. This included Miana Gondal in Mandi Bahauddin. Zeeshan’s maternal uncle said he had arranged the job to help the young man earn a living.

Hina Javed case: what the police say

A Rawalpindi police spokesperson said the murder took place on August 20. Furthermore, technical and forensic evidence had been collected from the outset, the spokesperson added. A district-level special team was formed under the supervision of the SSP (Investigation). Meanwhile, the Punjab Inspector General of Police constituted another investigation team. It was headed by an officer of additional inspector general rank.

Senior officers and experienced investigators examined the case from all angles, the spokesperson said. Subsequently, specialist teams from the Punjab Forensic Science Agency collected evidence from the crime scene. The evidence was then sent for analysis.

The case was investigated in light of DNA reports and polygraph test results, the spokesperson added. Moreover, other material evidence received from the PFSA was considered. In addition, legal experts had been consulted during the investigation. They were also consulted during the preparation of the case file.

Victim’s family demands judicial commission

Meanwhile, Hina Javed’s family has once again said it has no confidence in the police investigation. At a press conference at the National Press Club in Islamabad, the family demanded a judicial commission. Its purpose was to establish the complete facts of the case.

Responding after the press conference, Rawalpindi police defended the investigation. They said it had proceeded under the supervision of senior officers. All technical, forensic and scientific evidence was taken into account, they added. Moreover, the case was being pursued on merit without any pressure or external influence.

Related: Mir Raza murder case.

Also read: ATC reserves verdict in Sidra murder case.

More: Sindh cabinet to take up Mir Raza commission report.

Who is Zeeshan Arshad?

He is the domestic worker arrested in the Hina Javed murder case. His father says he worked at the victim’s house for about seven months.

What has the suspect’s father alleged?

According to Muhammad Arshad, the victim’s husband forced his son at gunpoint to restrain Hina. Furthermore, he claimed the husband had later murdered her. He also alleged his son was tortured in custody to confess. These are the father’s claims. However, police have not publicly responded to the torture allegation itself.

What evidence do police cite in the Hina Javed case?

Police say the investigation rests on DNA reports and polygraph test results. It also rests on other material evidence analysed by the Punjab Forensic Science Agency. In addition, legal experts were consulted on the case file.

What does Hina Javed’s family want?

Finally, the family has demanded a judicial commission. It says it does not trust the police investigation to uncover the full facts.