According to police and hospital sources, an 18-year-old domestic worker has died at a government hospital in Lahore following complications during an abortion, which stemmed from being gang-raped by two men connected with her employer’s house.
The investigation into this case has now changed from being a rape investigation to being a murder investigation because she died during surgery at Services Hospital in Lahore.
Allegations of prolonged sexual assault
In accordance with the first information report (FIR) and the victim’s statement, this young woman, who worked as a domestic employee, was allegedly subjected to repeated sexual assault over the course of several months by her employer’s son along with a driver who was employed by the same family (in the Model Town area of Lahore).
Police said the victim named both suspects in her statement, alleging that the abuse was concealed initially by individuals within the household. The case came to light only after her condition deteriorated due to pregnancy-related complications.
Complications after abortion procedure
According to the police, the deceased was taken to the clinic in Raiwind after experiencing complications from using medication to terminate her pregnancy. Emergency medical care was given to the deceased, but after assessment by the hospital physicians, it was determined that the deceased woman was in a high-risk situation due to complications related to miscarriage (i.e., 4-5 months fetal demise); therefore, there was a need for urgent medical intervention.
Although the deceased woman was treated adequately, her condition still continued to deteriorate, therefore she was transferred to Services Hospital, Lahore, for surgical intervention on May 23; however, unfortunately, she died during the surgery.
FIR upgraded to murder charges
Following her death, police added murder-related provisions to the FIR. A senior police official confirmed that one suspect – the driver – has been arrested and remanded in judicial custody, while other suspects, including individuals from the employer’s family, have reportedly secured bail.
The investigation unit is currently investigating this case; they have updated the case to add additional charges against the private clinic that acted negligent and/or unlawful.
Authorities said a post-mortem examination has been completed, and its final report is awaited. A dedicated police team has also been tasked with examining whether the private clinic followed legal and medical protocols during the procedure. Arrests could be made based on scientific evidence collected and witness statements collected in conjunction with the completion of the investigation.
The case has drawn renewed attention awareness surrounding violence against women and domestic workers, in particular cases where girls have been victims of violence or sexual assault and then gone on to develop complications as a result of having been sexually assaulted. Women’s rights advocates have voiced their concerns regarding sexual assault going unreported, the absence of services to protect Domestic Workers and the lack of safe access for women to use reproductive health care services when they are experiencing vulnerability.
This is a developing story.
Sources: DAWN News, and The Express Tribune.