A Karachi court has granted bail to a couple accused of brutally torturing their 12-year-old domestic worker, Zainab, after she allegedly burned a dupatta while ironing.
The accused, Kanwal and Shehroz, were arrested following a complaint lodged by the victim’s mother at Ferozabad Police Station. Police reports stated that the girl sustained severe burn injuries on her back, arms, and legs caused by a clothing iron.
Despite police requesting physical remand of the suspects, the Judicial Magistrate approved their bail against sureties of Rs30,000 each. The defence argued the couple was being blackmailed and expressed regret over the incident.
Zainab remains in critical condition and is receiving treatment at the Burns Ward of Civil Hospital.
Read: Child maid tortured to death
Earlier, A 10-year-old domestic worker, Sonia, was allegedly tortured to death by her employers in Lahore’s Hanjarwal area.
Sonia was working at the residence of Farrukh Bashir and his wife, Nosheen, where she reportedly endured weeks of physical abuse. Her mother, Asma Bibi, a resident of Arifwala, had sent her daughter to work in the household three months ago through a relative, Sheikh Fiyaz, for a monthly wage of Rs8,000.
Asma received a call from Fiyaz saying Sonia had suffered a minor arm injury. Concerned, she asked another relative, Muhammad Aleem, to check on the child.
Aleem visited the employers’ home in Ali Block, Ittefaq Town, and witnessed Sonia being violently beaten by Farrukh and Nosheen. When he protested, he was thrown out and threatened.
He immediately informed Asma about what he had seen.
Despite repeated calls over the next two days, Asma received no response from the employers.
Eventually, they informed her that her daughter had died. When Asma arrived at the house with relatives, they found Sonia’s lifeless body lying on the floor, bearing visible and severe torture marks.
In 2023, a 14-year-old girl named Sana was tortured by her employer in Lahore’s Garhi Shahu area using scissors and sticks.
Similarly, in 2020, eight-year-old Zahra died in Rawalpindi after she was allegedly beaten for letting pet parrots escape. Forensic reports later suggested possible sexual assault.
