The British Asian Christian Association (BACA) is committed to ensuring justice for Eman Khuram, a young Christian woman from Sheikhupura who endured the trauma of rape by a Muslim man. Eman and her family, devastated by the incident, reached out to BACA for support in their fight for justice.
In a significant development, the court has cancelled the pre-arrest bail of the accused, signaling a crucial step forward in the legal proceedings. This decision underscores the strength of the evidence presented and the determination to hold the perpetrator accountable for this heinous crime.
BACA has provided legal assistance, emotional support, and financial aid to Eman and her family. We have facilitated the legal processes, ensuring that the accused could not exploit any loopholes in the justice system.
On 21st November, our BACA team, accompanied by Eman and her appointed solicitor, Sardar Sultan Dogar, appeared before the investigation officer, Muhammad Usman Javiad. Eman’s statement was recorded under Section 161 of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cr.P.C.). Despite this critical step, the team was deeply disappointed to uncover significant gaps in the investigation.
The presiding police officer had yet to record key evidence, including the statements of the brick factory owner and the shoe factory manager regarding Eman’s attendance on the 7th of November, the date of the crime. These testimonies are vital to establishing the timeline and corroborating Eman’s account of the incident.
Sardar Sultan Dogar, BACA’s hired solicitor for Eman, expressed concern about the lack of progress:
“Recording the statements of both the brick factory owner and Eman’s manager are crucial pieces of evidence, but the police have not yet bothered to document these vital testimonies.”
To address concerns over the lack of progress in Eman Khuram’s rape case, the British Asian Christian Association (BACA) escalated the matter to higher authorities. The same day, our BACA team met with the District Police Officer (DPO) of Sheikhupura. The DPO took immediate action, summoning the Station House Officer (SHO) Muhammad Basharat to report on the investigation’s progress and provide updates on the case.
Eman, speaking about BACA’s efforts, described her ordeal with trembling emotion and expressed profound gratitude:
“I cannot put into words the fear I lived with every day. The man who hurt me threatened to come back, to rape me again, and to kill me and my family if we dared to seek justice. We are poor and powerless against such influential people, and I felt utterly hopeless and abandoned. But then BACA stepped in. They gave me the strength, the support, and the protection I needed to stand up against these monsters. Without their financial and legal help, I don’t know if my family or I would still be alive. They have been my voice, my shield, and my hope in this nightmare. I thank God for their help!”
A significant milestone in Eman’s fight for justice was achieved on 22nd November. Following strong arguments by BACA-appointed solicitor Sardar Sultan Dogar, the Additional District and Sessions Judge of Sheikhupura, Syed Muhammad Umar, cancelled the pre-arrest bail of the accused, Ansar Shah. Fearing imminent arrest, Shah did not appear before the court. The judge not only revoked Shah’s bail but also instructed police to arrest and thoroughly investigate him.
The British Asian Christian Association (BACA) has taken further steps to ensure the integrity and fairness of the investigation into Eman Khuram’s case. On 22nd November, BACA representatives met with Rana Sultan Ahmad, the Public Prosecution Head in Sheikhupura, to seek his intervention in addressing delays and ensuring an impartial inquiry.
Rana Sultan Ahmad commended BACA’s efforts and immediately took action by instructing the police to expedite the arrest and investigation of the accused. He also directed the police to share regular updates on their findings with his office.
Sana Bibi, Eman’s mother, who accompanied the BACA team during the visit, expressed her gratitude:
“I am thankful to BACA for empowering our family, and I am confident of getting justice for my innocent daughter Eman.”
In addition to its legal and financial support, BACA is committed to helping Eman rebuild her life. To empower her for the future, BACA is encouraging her to develop a skill of her choice. Eman has chosen to learn stitching and sewing, and BACA will soon enroll her in a vocational institute that offers advanced training in this field.
BACA has successfully paid off the debt that had enslaved Eman’s younger brother, Rehman (15 years old), to a milk factory under a bonded labor contract. This debt had been incurred by his absent father, who had borrowed money to cover gambling and drug addiction debts. With this debt now paid, a safeguarding crisis has been resolved, and the family is now safe and protected in a home of their own for the next six months—far removed from the violent threats and the looming danger of further abuse from the aggressive rapist and his associates.
Rehman, expressing his deep gratitude, said:
“I am grateful to every donor who helped pay off our family’s debt. This has given us new freedom and safety, and it has given us hope for a better future. Our God is a great God, and He has come to our rescue in our darkest hour. May His name be praised forever.”
The family is now being supported in a safe house, and we have successfully freed Rehman from an indentured labor contract. However, we are currently fighting a legal case and have only been able to pay 50% of the advocate’s fees. We urgently need an additional £750 to settle the outstanding balance.
In addition, we aim to enroll Eman in a stitching course costing £150 and Rehman in a six-month hairdressing course at £350, which will result in a diploma. This training will equip them with valuable skills, enabling the family to break free from extreme poverty and build a brighter future.
If you are able to support this effort, please consider donating (here). Your generosity can help transform their lives.
BACA Trustee Juliet Chowdhry stated:
“Empowering survivors is at the heart of our mission. By equipping Eman with valuable skills, we aim to restore her confidence and independence while supporting her pursuit of justice. The income she will earn through stitching will be at least two times what she could have earned working in a shoe factory. From this dark chapter of her life, she will emerge with the tools to lift her family out of poverty.
Additionally, we plan to train her 15-year-old brother, whom we recently freed from slavery, to become a hairdresser. Together, their new livelihoods will allow them to care for their devoted mother, a woman of unshakable faith who never abandoned her trust in God despite the deep trauma of an absent father who left his young son in indentured labor to pay off his gambling debts. Through these opportunities, we hope to help Eman and her family build a brighter and more secure future.”
Through its comprehensive approach, BACA continues to advocate for justice, provide emotional support, and create opportunities for survivors to reclaim their lives. The organization remains resolute in its pursuit of justice for Eman and ensuring she thrives in a safe and supportive environment.
Mrs Chowdhry, added:
“The attack on Eman was brutal and devastating, leaving scars that will last a lifetime. What she has endured could shatter even the strongest among us, yet she continues to display remarkable courage and unwavering faith, holding tightly to her love for God. The perpetrator likely believed he could silence her with threats and rely on Pakistan’s notorious Qisas and Diyat laws to escape justice for his heinous actions. He never imagined that a poor Christian family could secure skilled legal representation, especially in time to preserve critical evidence against him.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we are on the brink of what could be a landmark victory in this rape case. We urge our supporters to lift Eman and her family in prayer as we challenge this injustice. Together, we seek not only to secure justice for Eman but also to chip away at the culture of impunity that allows such crimes to persist unchecked.”
