Hina Javaid death case: Police reject suicide claim, call it a murder

RPO Babar Sarfraz Alpa said the investigation is continuing and suspects are in custody.

He categorically said “it was a murder”, adding that Hina’s husband and a domestic servant are in police remand custody. The victim’s father-in-law is also being investigated but has not been arrested.

Special team formed for probe

The RPO made the statement during a press conference with senior Rawalpindi police officials at the Police Lines auditorium. A special team has been formed under the SSP investigations to investigate the death of the 45-year-old digital media executive.

Police initially treated the incident as a possible suicide, but the examination of the body changed that impression. The authorities later registered a murder case after the victim’s brother, Fahad Javed, requested legal action.

Husband and servant under investigation

Police said the incident was reported on August 20, when Asghar Ali Fayyaz approached the police station and claimed that thieves had entered his home on Faisal Alvi Road. Officers reached the apartment and found Hina’s body in the bathroom.

“The body was tied to the shower and her hands were tied behind her back.” Police said the FIR named Faisal Asghar Imam, Asghar Fayyaz, domestic servant Zeeshan and an unidentified person.

The RPO said Zeeshan and Faisal are currently in police custody. Investigators are using technical methods and human intelligence to examine the case from different angles.

Servant gives new account

According to the RPO, the domestic servant told investigators that Faisal and Hina had an argument on the night of the incident. He reportedly said Hina was tortured during the dispute and was later strangled when she tried to escape.

The servant further claimed that Hina was taken to the bathroom afterwards to make the incident appear to be a suicide. Police said the suspect had initially given a different account but later made these disclosures during remand.

The RPO said the investigation is still at an early stage and warned against drawing final conclusions. “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.

The case has taken a serious turn after police rejected the suicide theory and registered it as a murder investigation. The statements from suspects and physical evidence will likely be important in determining what happened.

Police have not yet announced a final conclusion about every suspect’s role. The investigation will need to establish the facts through forensic evidence, witness accounts and other available evidence.

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