RAWALPINDI(National Times)- Regional Police Officer (RPO) Babar Sarfraz Alpa has disputed the impression that Hina Javaid’s death was a suicide.

He categorically said “it was a murder”, adding her husband and a domestic servant are in police remand custody, while the father-in-law of the victim is under investigation.

The RPO was speaking at a hurriedly-called joint press conference with City Police Officer Hassan Mushtaq Sukhera, the SSP investigations and the SP Potohar at the Police Lines auditorium on Monday night.

A special team has been formed to investigate the murder of digital media executive, Hina Javaid, 45.

Says husband and servant in remand custody, father-in-law under probe

Initially, it was portrayed as a suicide; however, after examining the body, the impression of suicide was ruled out. The victim’s father-in-law has been included in the investigation but has not been arrested.

“The investigation into the case is at an early stage, so it is not appropriate to reveal certain things at this stage. However, as the investigation progresses, those who have played a role will be identified. As soon as concrete evidence is found against the victim’s father-in-law, action will be taken against him according to the law,” the RPO said.

He said that on August 20, at 6am, Asghar Ali Fayyaz came to the police station and gave the initial information that thieves had broken into his house located on Faisal Alvi Road.

He said on receiving the information, the police reached the spot where the body of Ms Javed was found in the bathroom of the apartment. “The body was tied to the shower and her hands were tied behind her back.”

On the request of the deceased’s brother Fahad Javed, a case was registered under murder charges.

The deceased’s husband Faisal Asghar Imam, father-in-law Asghar Fayyaz and domestic servant Zeeshan and an unknown person were named in the FIR.

The RPO said that the investigation was being conducted from all angles and a special team had been formed under the leadership of the SSP investigations.

He said the suspects, Zeeshan and Faisal, are in police custody. The RPO said all means, including technical and human intelligence, are being used in the investigation.

The servant revealed to the investigating team that Faisal and Hina had a quarrel on the night of the incident over some issue during which she was reportedly tortured. As she tried to escape, she was strangled, he added. Later, she was taken to the bathroom to give an impression that she had committed suicide.

The suspect had initially given a different statement but during the remand custody he made the disclosures.