HARIPUR: Serious allegations of police misconduct and custodial abuse have emerged in investigation into the rape and murder of five-year-old Ayat Noor’s case.
In this connection, Journalist Tanveer Awan on Saturday posted on X alleging improper conduct by police during the probe. According to Awan, Superintendent of Police (SP) Samina Zafar subjected the victim’s mother to inappropriate and derogatory questioning regarding her personal life.
Mr. Awan alleged that SP Zafar accused the mother of an illicit relationship, which caused the murder of Noor. The journalist further alleged that Nawaz, the brother-in-law of the victim’s maternal uncle, was illegally detained by police for five to six days.
During custody, Nawaz was allegedly subjected to severe physical torture, leaving him physically affected and unable to sit comfortably. These allegations on X posts have not been independently verified. The claims come amidst high-level government attention to the case. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has met with the child’s family in Haripur, where he vowed exemplary punishment for those responsible.
The CM directed strict action against those involved in the case and announced that the provincial Child Protection Bill would be named in honor of Ayat Noor to introduce tougher penalties for child abuse. The case began on August 10, when Ayat Noor’s father reported her missing. Police subsequently registered a case under Sections 361 and 364-A of the Pakistan Penal Code for kidnapping.
On August 25, four suspects were arrested, leading authorities to recover the child’s body from an abandoned well.
Expressing deep grief alongside the family, Chief Minister Afridi stated that “a child is meant to be loved” and reiterated the government’s commitment to delivering justice.
Read also: KP CM Sohail afridi visits ayat noor home in haripur, announces child protection bill in her name
