Pir Asad offers Rs2 crore to Fatima's parents to withdraw murder case: reports

New revelations have emerged in the Fatima murder case, where a minor girl was allegedly tortured to death by influential Pir Asad Shah Jeelani in Sindh's Ranipur town.

According to sources, the Ranipur notable offered Fatima's parents Rs2 crore to withdraw the case.

Sources said the victim's parents were persuaded to settle the deal and the owner of the private school played a key role.

The parents received the first installment of Rs5 million, but the remaining amount was withheld after the accused's bail was rejected, sources added.

The accused allegedly paid witnesses Rs1.5 million each.

However, there are contradictions in the parents' statements, with the father saying they were not afraid and would not forgive the accused, while the mother claimed in an affidavit that her daughter's death was due to "natural causes" and the arrested persons were "innocent".

The distressing incident came to light in August last year after video clips showing torture marks on the minor girl's body went viral on social media.

In the video, the seriously injured girl was seen struggling to sit up on her bed but soon collapsed.

Later, Ranipur notable Pir Asad Shah Jeelani and others were arrested for allegedly torturing their 10-year-old maid to death.

A special media board was formed to ascertain the cause of the minor's death, which concluded that the girl was subjected to severe torture and suspected sexual abuse.

The post-mortem report revealed “decomposition with bluish discoloration on right side of face and forehead and greenish mottled discoloration over the left side of face, neck and shoulder”.

The preliminary autopsy report also stated that the abdomen of the deceased girl was distended.