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A court in Toba Tek Singh on Monday handed down the death penalty to two men convicted of murdering Maria Bibi in March 2024. The verdict, issued by Additional Sessions Judge Abdul Hafeez Bhutta, marks the culmination of a case that gained significant public attention due to its shocking nature and the evidence that surfaced on social media.
A Crime That Shook the Nation
Maria Bibi was brutally murdered on March 17 in Chak 477-JB Allowal by her father, Abdul Sattar, and her brother, Faisal. The case sparked widespread outrage after a video of the crime circulated online, prompting authorities to exhume her body for an autopsy on March 28.
Faisal later confessed on camera while in police custody on March 31, initially claiming he had raped and strangled his sister to cover up an incestuous relationship. However, forensic reports disproved these claims, confirming that Maria had neither been raped nor was she pregnant.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Initially, police charged the accused under Sections 34 (common intention), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), and 302 (murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). However, upon further investigation, authorities added Section 311 (honour killing), concluding that Maria’s murder was carried out under the pretense of protecting the family’s so-called honour.
During Monday’s hearing, the court ruled that the prosecution had presented undeniable evidence proving the guilt of Faisal and Abdul Sattar. Faisal was convicted under Section 302(b) of the PPC, while his father was found guilty under Section 302(b) read with Section 34 PPC. The court’s order stated that both men were to be “hanged by their necks till they are dead,” pending confirmation from the Lahore High Court (LHC).
Additionally, both convicts were ordered to pay PKR 10 million each as compensation to Maria’s legal heirs under Section 544A of the Criminal Procedure Code. In case of non-payment, they would face six months of simple imprisonment.
Acquittals and Official Reactions
Two other individuals implicated in the case, Faisal’s brother Shahbaz and his wife Sumaira, were accused of concealing the murder. Maria had reportedly confided in Shahbaz a day before her death, alleging that she had been raped by Faisal and their father.
Shahbaz allegedly recorded a video of the murder while pretending to be on a phone call. However, the court acquitted both Shahbaz and Sumaira, granting them the benefit of the doubt. Sumaira had already been released on bail, while Shahbaz was ordered to be freed.
Punjab Prosecutor General Syed Farhad Ali Shah highlighted the importance of the case, stating that authorities had treated it with the utmost priority. “The verdict in the Maria murder case is proof that the high-profile cell of the Punjab Prosecutor General Office is fully active,” he told Dawn.com.
Shah credited the prosecution’s diligence in ensuring justice, emphasizing that the case was closely monitored under the Anti-Rape Act, demonstrating the effectiveness of Pakistan’s legal framework in addressing such heinous crimes.
As the case now moves to the Lahore High Court for confirmation, it serves as a grim reminder of the persistent issue of honour killings in Pakistan. The verdict is seen as a significant step toward justice, but the broader fight against such crimes remains ongoing.
(With Inputs from ANI)
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