Muhammad Shahbaz confesses to raping a mentally disabled woman

London: (By Hannah Chowdhry and Juliet Chowdhry) The Christian community in Muridke is shocked by the shocking rape of a mentally challenged woman in her own home. The assailant entered the house through the roof stairs and committed the heinous act. The police have filed a complaint against the unknown assailant and arrested three to four suspects. A forensic team is collecting evidence to assist the investigation.

On May 16, Muhammad Shahbaz, one of the 13 suspects arrested by the Muridke police since May 13, confessed to raping Asma Bibi, a 35-year-old mentally disabled Christian woman, while in police custody at Saddar police station in Muridke. Shahbaz is Asma Bibi’s neighbour.

Earlier, on May 15, Station House Officer (SHO) Muhammad Zaheer Shah of Muridke police had asked Nasir Masih to come to the police station with his daughter on May 16 to identify the rapists in a series of confrontations with the arrested suspects. However, Mr. Nasir feared being pressured by the police and asked to be accompanied by a BACA officer. “I am uneducated and I am afraid that the police might make me sign documents. I request you to accompany me to the police station,” said Mr. Nasir.

BACA reacted promptly and sent one of our officers, accompanied by lawyer Naseeb Anjum, to escort Nasir Masih to the police station. However, before their appointment, Mr. Anjum received a call from the police that Mr. Shahbaz had confessed to the crime.

At around 6:00 pm, our officer Edward Naseer, Mr. Anjum, Nasir Masih and his uncle Iftikhar Masih arrived at the police station. Muhammad Zaheer Shah briefed them about the progress of the police investigation and gave further details about the confession of Muhammad Shahbaz, who had surrendered after realizing that he would be recognized during the line-up. Shahbaz was then taken to the SHO’s office by a police officer.

During the interrogation, which took place in the presence of Nasir Masih and the BACA team, Shahbaz confessed to the crime and described in detail how he committed it. He described the location of the bed where Asma was lying when he entered the house via the stairs to the roof. In response to one of the questions, Muhammad Shahbaz admitted that he knew that Asma was alone in the house. “I was sexually aroused, so I went into the house and raped Asma,” Shahbaz told the police officers.

After committing the heinous crime, the rapist went to a nearby canal to bathe and returned home in the evening where the police eventually arrested him. Mr Shah explained to the BACA officers that the police had received confirmation from the community that Muhammad Shahbaz’s wife had left him long ago and that he had been living with his younger brother, Muhammad Toqeer, since then.

So far, the police have arrested 13 suspects and have not released them despite a confession by Mr. Shhabaz. The delay in their release is causing fear among the public against the Masih family. Mr. Shah told BACA that the police are waiting for the results of DNA samples from the forensic department.

The Masih family finds themselves in a harrowing situation, facing threats and intimidation from individuals who are urging them to give up their quest for justice. Since the suspects were arrested, a wave of hostility has swept through the Muslim community, leaving Nasir Masih and his family isolated and defenseless.

These threats, coupled with dire warnings of impending disaster should they continue to demand justice, cast a dark shadow over the family’s already turbulent ordeal. Yet despite the mounting pressure and intimidation tactics, Nasir Masih remains committed to his goal of demanding justice.

“The Muslim community in the neighborhood is urging us to leave the village,” said Nasir Masih. “I don’t know where to go. I am ready to face any circumstances, but I will not allow the perpetrator to escape justice.”

Nasir Masih thanked BACA for its moral and legal support.

Nasir Masih urgently sought legal advice from BACA to obtain justice for Asma Bibi, recognising the need for professional support. In Pakistan, murder and rape trials are civil cases, meaning families must find their own legal representation. This highlights the need for legal assistance to navigate complex proceedings and advocate for the victim. We are funding a lawyer with £1500 and you can help us cover these costs by donating (here). In addition, we aim to keep the family safe should hostility continue, which requires £150 per month for six months to cover rent.

Juliet Chowdhry, trustee of the British Asian Christian Association, said: “A very vulnerable woman was brutally raped in her own home by a neighbour. The man shows no remorse and justifies his actions by saying he was merely giving in to his urges, as if that is a valid excuse. It is appalling that Islamic Sharia law allows such crimes to be forgiven through compensation payments, which fosters a sense of impunity and only serves to exacerbate and spread such crimes against Christian minorities.”