Case Report: Legal Assistance for Soghran Bibi and Akram Masih

Soghran Bibi, wife of Akram Masih, resides in Jamber Kalan, Tehsil Pattoki, District Kasur. She and her husband have seven children:

• Iqbal(26, son, married)
• Asif (24, son, married)
• Waqas (22, son, married)
• Adil (20, son)
• Vikram (18, son)
• Pervisha (16, daughter)
• Kirson (14, son)

Incident Background

For the past three years, the entire family has worked at a brick kiln owned by Muhammad Hussain. The agreed wage was 1,000 PKR per 1,000 bricks.

The conflict began on December 12, 2024, when Akram Masih requested payment for 4,000 completed bricks. Instead of paying, Muhammad Hussain verbally abused him. Shortly after, Hussain returned to the family’s home with 15 to 20 unidentified individuals. The group violently assaulted Soghran Bibi, her husband, and their sons, resulting in multiple injuries.

Police Misconduct and False Accusations

When the family attempted to report the assault at the local police station, Muhammad Hussain intervened. Leveraging his influence and bribing the officers, he pressured the police to detain the victims. Consequently, Soghran’s sons, Asif and Vikram, were taken into custody on a fabricated charge of goat theft.

Akram Masih eventually secured a lawyer and obtained bail for his sons. On December 26, 2024, following an order from the Judicial Magistrate, Akram took his wife and son to a government hospital for a formal medical examination. Despite this, the kiln owner and his subordinates continued to issue threats.

Legal Intervention by CLAAS

Due to their poverty and inability to navigate the legal system alone, the family sought assistance from CLAAS.

• January 10, 2025: CLAAS filed a petition in the Court of the Additional Sessions Judge, Pattoki, seeking the registration of an FIR against Muhammad Hussain, Roki, Nadeem (Munshi), and 20 unidentified accomplices.
• Court Order: The court ruled in favor of the family, ordering the police to register the case.
• FIR Details: FIR No. 671/2025 was registered at Police Station Sadar, Phool Nagar, under Sections 337-F(v), 337-A(iii), 337-A(i), 337-F(i), 148, and 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

Bail Contestation and Resolution

Muhammad Hussain and his assistant, Muhammad Nadeem, filed for pre-arrest bail in the Sessions Court and subsequently in the Lahore High Court. CLAAS legal counsel vigorously contested these applications in both forums. Both courts dismissed the bail petitions.

Following these legal setbacks, Muhammad Hussain sought a compromise with the family.

Current Status: The matter has been resolved. Soghran Bibi, Akram Masih, and their children are now living in peace and feel secure in their community.