KARACHI – A 19-year-old woman, identified as Shanti from Lyari, died on July 23 after weeks of battling for her life following brutal marital rape and abuse allegedly committed by her husband.
Shanti was married on June 16, 2025, but within days, she was subjected to severe sexual and physical violence. According to her family, she faced repeated assaults, including sodomy and the use of a foreign object, which caused critical injuries.
Her brother filed an FIR on July 5 at Baghdadi Police Station under Sections 324 (attempted murder) and 376-B (rape) of the Pakistan Penal Code. The complaint detailed repeated instances of brutal marital rape and threats by her husband, Ashok Kumar.
Police arrested Ashok on July 6 and secured his remand for investigation. He remains in custody as the case continues.
Medical reports confirmed signs of repeated sexual violence. Dr. Summaiya Syed, Police Surgeon at Civil Hospital Karachi, confirmed that Shanti never regained consciousness after being admitted in critical condition. She passed away at 10:45 a.m. on July 23.
Following her death, Aurat March issued a strong statement condemning the systemic failures that led to Shanti’s prolonged suffering. The group highlighted negligence by healthcare providers and the influence of patriarchal norms that prevented timely medical intervention.
Women’s rights activists stressed that Pakistan lacks a dedicated law against marital rape. Advocate Mehwish Muhib Kakakhel explained that although Section 376-B addresses rape, it does not explicitly recognize marital rape, leaving survivors with limited legal protection.
Shanti’s tragic death has reignited calls for legal reform to criminalize marital rape in Pakistan. Activists argue that explicit recognition in law is vital to protect women, encourage reporting, and hold perpetrators accountable.
Her case is now being seen as a test for the justice system, with rights groups demanding urgent reforms to ensure no other woman suffers in silence under similar circumstances.
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