Aamir Lashari
ISLAMABAD: Somia Asim, the wife of a civil judge, has been sent to jail on a 14-day judicial remand by a district and sessions court in Islamabad. She is facing allegations of severely torturing an underage domestic worker, who was subsequently hospitalized in critical condition on July 24.
According to the victim’s medico-legal certificate (MLC), she sustained numerous injuries, including lacerations, fractures, and bruises. The incident prompted Islamabad police to register a first information report (FIR) on July 26. Initially, Somia Asim was charged with criminal intimidation and wrongful confinement, but the FIR was later amended to include additional charges, including murder.
After receiving protective bail until August 1 from the Lahore High Court (LHC), and pre-arrest bail until August 7 from a district and sessions court in Islamabad, Somia Asim’s bail application was rejected on August 7. Subsequently, she was arrested by the police.
During the court proceedings, the judge addressed the request for physical remand, questioning its necessity given that substantial evidence had already been collected. Somia Asim, asserting her cooperation, was subsequently sent to jail for 14 days.
In another development, Somia Asim has filed for post-arrest bail through her lawyer, alleging that the allegations against her are “baseless, concocted, and result of exaggerations.” She maintains her innocence and claims to have treated the maid well. The court has issued a notice for the bail hearing on August 10.
The case has generated significant media attention, raising discussions about the need for physical remand and potential irregularities in the investigation.
