A judicial magistrate in Rawalpindi on Wednesday extended the physical remand of Hina Javed’s husband, Sohail Asghar, and servant, Zeeshan, by three days in connection with her alleged murder.

45-year-old Hina was allegedly killed by her husband in connivance with his father and employee. Both suspects were produced before a duty magistrate on Sunday, who handed them over to police on three-day physical remand (which ended today).

Police produced the suspects before the Civil Judge Rana Shahnawaz Khan today under tight security and directed the police to complete the probe at the earliest and submit the challan.

The investigating officer told the court that the post-mortem report had been received and that the challan would be prepared after the DNA report was received.

“The forensic DNA tests of both suspects have already been conducted,” the officer told the court.

Advocate Shah Khawar appeared on behalf of the victim’s family. The victim’s brothers and other relatives were also present in the courtroom.

During the proceedings, suspect Asghar allegedly pretended to be mentally unwell, prompting the court to reprimand him.

Police told the court that both suspects had completed a three-day physical remand as per the court’s previous order. The court noted that the victim’s father-in-law, Asghar Ali, a retired senior officer, was also included in the investigation as a co-accused.

Police said he expressed ignorance about the circumstances surrounding the incident. The court passed the order and directed that the two suspects be produced again on August 28.

Earlier, Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) Secretary and Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Dr Shahida Rehmani led a delegation to the residence of the murder victim, Hina Javed, to express grievance and assure the support of the caucus in pursuit of justice.

The delegation comprised MNAs Huma Akhtar Chughtai, Tamkeen Akhtar Niazi, Asia Naz Tanoli, Zahra Wadood Fatemi, and National Assembly (NA) Chief Technical Advisor Minail Khan.

The delegation met with the sister and other family members of the deceased woman and expressed heartfelt condolences over her tragic death.

Read: Hina murder probe intensifies

Dr Shahida and WPC members expressed profound grief over the incident and assured the family of the caucus’ continued support.

The delegation stressed that violence against women in any form was unacceptable and called for a free, fair, transparent and impartial investigation, with all relevant aspects of the case thoroughly examined.

The WPC secretary stated that the caucus would closely monitor the proceedings of the Standing Committee on Interior as it takes up the matter concerning Hina’s killing.

The National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) had been taken on board, the secretary revealed further.

“The WPC stands with Hina’s family and will continue to follow the case closely,” Dr Shahida said, adding, “There must be no compromise on a fair, transparent and complete investigation, and anyone found responsible must be held accountable under the law.”

The delegation reaffirmed the WPC’s commitment to addressing the issue of violence against women through appropriate parliamentary forums and supporting measures to strengthen the protection of women and their fundamental rights.

The WPC delegation prayed for the soul of the deceased. They also prayed for patience, strength and fortitude for the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss.

The murder case

Hina was found dead at her in-laws’ home after her father-in-law reportedly informed police that burglars had entered the house. Cops found her body tied to a shower in the bathroom, with her hands bound behind her back. The suspicious circumstances prompted police to register a murder case and arrest her husband and the domestic worker.

A preliminary post-mortem report found a fracture to a neck bone and injuries to Hina’s ribs and hip. Samples, including those required for DNA analysis, were sent to a forensic laboratory.

Read more: Hina Javed murder probe takes new turn

Police said the precise cause of death remains unestablished until the issuance of complete post-mortem and forensic reports.

A special investigation team, headed by Investigation SSP Saifullah, took Hina’s husband Asghar and servant Zeeshan to Lahore under tight security on Tuesday. Their samples were submitted to the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) for DNA and polygraph examinations.

Hina’s father-in-law, who has been included in the investigation, accompanied the team and was questioned before they returned to Rawalpindi.

Police sources said the DNA results were expected in about three weeks, while the polygraph reports were likely within three days. Investigators are also examining forensic, scientific, technical, and human intelligence evidence before determining the role of each suspect.

With additional input from APP.