A wave of shock and grief swept across social media after the death of 19-year-old Shanti, who allegedly suffered brutal domestic abuse just days after her marriage. Her tragic story came to light following reports that she died at Karachi’s Civil Hospital Trauma Centre on Wednesday, sparking widespread outrage and renewed calls for justice and systemic reform.
Actor Ayesha Omar was among the first public figures to speak out, taking to Instagram on Thursday to express her sorrow and condemnation of the violence. “May your soul rest in eternal peace. May Allah give your family strength,” she wrote. “I’m sorry we failed you, Shanti. May justice be served.”
In her post, Omar also addressed the societal roots of gender-based violence. “Praying that this misogynistic society can heal and transform for the better one day,” she added.
Her post resonated deeply with users online, many of whom shared their fears and anger over the growing number of such cases. One user wrote, “May Allah protect us. Assault and rape cases have started to circulate the news everyday. The internet is scary now.”
Another pointed to the role of family upbringing in preventing such tragedies. “Mothers should stop trying to find beautiful brides for mental patients like him. I request all mothers to be more mindful of what their sons are up to,” the comment read.
According to police reports, Shanti had been subjected to repeated physical abuse by her husband, Ashok, son of Mohan, shortly after their wedding on June 16. The first incident reportedly occurred just a day after their marriage, with another following on June 18.
On June 30, Shanti returned to her family home due to her deteriorating condition. There, she confided in her brother, Saiyon, revealing that Ashok had bitten her multiple times and threatened to kill her if she spoke out.
Saiyon filed a police complaint on July 5, leading to the registration of an FIR. He told authorities that Shanti’s in-laws had initially taken her to a private hospital but returned her to her family when her condition failed to improve.
On July 4, Saiyon brought Shanti to the Civil Hospital’s Trauma Centre, where she remained under treatment until her death.
PS Baghdadi SHO Majid Alvi confirmed that the suspect was arrested soon after the FIR was lodged. “The accused is currently in jail and further investigation is underway,” he said.
The case has fueled national outrage, amplifying calls for urgent action to protect women from domestic violence and ensure swift justice for victims like Shanti.
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