New revelations surface in Sidra Gul murder case as second husband turns himself in

A new development has come to light in the murder case of 19-year-old Sidra Gul as her second husband, Usman, surrendered himself to the police. Sidra was reportedly killed following a jirga’s decision in the Pirwadhai area of Rawalpindi.

Usman appeared at the police station and voluntarily turned himself in. Marriage documents have also surfaced, confirming that Sidra and Usman tied the knot on July 12 in Muzaffarabad.

Usman, a resident of Chehla Bandi, Muzaffarabad, works in Rawalpindi. Sidra had also recorded a formal statement before the Judicial Magistrate in Muzaffarabad, expressing her concerns and requesting protection.

In her testimony, Sidra stated that she had married Usman of her own free will and feared for her life. She told the court that her father had passed away and her mother had remarried. Sidra's concerns for her safety were documented in court.

A video statement by Usman’s father, Muhammad Ilyas, who is also Sidra’s father-in-law also emerged. In the video, Ilyas explained that his son works at a workshop near the Pirwadhai bus stand and that the family survives on daily wages.

He shared that when Sidra arrived at their home, she explained that her father had died and her mother had married her uncle. She further said she was being forced into a marriage she did not want, and that she had come willingly with Usman and wanted to marry him.

Ilyas said Sidra asked for protection. He arranged Rs30,000–40,000, took her to court, and solemnised the marriage according to Islamic traditions. He also submitted their statements in court.

Read more: Rawalpindi court orders exhumation of 'honour killing' victim's body

He went on to say that just four days after the marriage, ten armed men barged into their home. The intruders threatened them with weapons and warned them of serious consequences. Sidra’s family allegedly told them that the marriage had taken place, and that they would now formally send the girl to her husband's home with dignity.

But just two days later, Sidra's in-laws learned through the media that she had been murdered.

Ilyas said that upon hearing of her death, the family was terrified. Fearing that his son might be accused of the murder, he personally handed him over to the police.

He appealed for protection from Sidra’s family and requested justice, stating that the marriage had been carried out lawfully and all legal formalities had been fulfilled.

Meanwhile, police in Rawalpindi have arrested nine individuals in connection with the killing of the 19-year-old girl. The suspects, allegedly involved in the jirga and the murder, have confessed during interrogation.

Exhumation of Sidra’s body will be carried out on the order of the area magistrate.

During the inquiry, Sidra’s first husband Ziaur Rehman and her father-in-law also made significant revelations.

The police and the state have now become complainants in the case, and murder charges have officially been added.