Pakistan’s healthcare and legal systems have long struggled with serious gaps in emergency reporting, patient protection, and accountability — failures that tragically converged in the case of 19-year-old Shanti.
On 23 July 2025, 19-year-old Shanti died after brutal sexual assault and alleged medical negligence, exposing a healthcare system in Pakistan that failed to treat or report her injuries.
Marital rape remains one of the most sensitive and often silenced topics, particularly in societies where women are forced into marriages and face oppression in unimaginable ways. Many are reduced to an existence where they are expected to fulfil marital expectations under unequal power dynamics, taught that their worth lies in conforming to oppressive societal norms.
On 22 October 2025, Additional Sessions Judge South Abdul Zahoor Chandio cancelled the interim pre arrest bail that was previously granted to Dr. Muhammad Rauf Shaikh. The court ordered the Sindh Healthcare Commission (SHCC) to take legal action against the private hospital and the doctor involved in Shanti’s treatment. The court criticised the hospital for discharging a severely injured patient without stabilising her condition and for failing to inform police despite clear signs of violent assault. The court said the actions of the doctor appeared to involve an attempt to hide a crime rather than save a life.
According to the FIR registered by Shanti’s brother Sayon, the assault took place on 15 June, only two days after her marriage. Her husband, Ashok Mohan age 25, allegedly inserted a metal pipe and later his hand and arm into her anus, causing serious internal tearing and extreme bleeding. He also reportedly bit her on her neck and breasts, and threatened to kill her if she spoke about the violence.
Shanti began bleeding heavily and was rushed by her in laws to two healthcare facilities. According to the family, her injuries were obvious and required emergency intervention. However, doctors allegedly refused or were unable to provide proper treatment and sent her home. News reports also state that no police intimation or medico legal reporting was carried out at this stage, despite injuries indicative of violence.
Over the next two weeks, her condition worsened. She lost the ability to speak or stand. When Shanti’s in laws finally contacted her brother Sayon, he immediately took her to a hospital in Karachi. She was admitted to Dr. Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi, arrived unconscious and was placed on a ventilator. She never regained consciousness.
A medico legal examination conducted by Dr. Summaiya Sayed, Chief Police Surgeon of Karachi, confirmed clear evidence of anal trauma caused by sexual violence. Shanti died on 23 July at Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi, after more than two weeks in a coma.
The court stated that Dr Muhammad Rauf Shaikh (General Surgeon), a general surgeon at a private hospital had performed surgery on Shanti but then discharged her prematurely, despite her life threatening injuries and rapidly declining condition. The judge said this was not a simple mistake but a serious breach of the duty of care owed to a critically injured patient.
The court said the hospital violated both the Sindh Healthcare Commission Act 2013 and the Sindh Injured Persons Medical Aid Act 2014, which require hospitals to provide immediate medical care to patients who are victims of violence and to inform police before discharge. According to The News and other outlets summarising the order, the court emphasised that the failure to report the crime destroyed crucial evidence and further reduced Shanti’s chances of survival.
Dr. Shaikh had previously obtained interim pre arrest bail on 27 September 2025, but after reviewing the medical evidence and timeline, the court revoked his bail on 22 October 2025 and ordered his arrest.
According to a report by Panj News, human rights lawyer Bahzad Akbar, who secured Sindh’s first marital rape conviction in 2022, called Shanti’s case a defining moment for both the legal and healthcare community. He said the case will determine whether Pakistan is willing to enforce laws against sexual violence within marriage and whether hospitals will finally be held accountable when medical negligence and reporting failures contribute directly to a preventable death. Akbar noted that the outcome has the potential to reshape standards for healthcare responsibility, emergency response and ethical medical practice.
Although the Pakistan Penal Code allows prosecution of rape under Section 376, marital rape remains deeply under reported. Karachi documented only three such cases in 2024, despite much higher estimated prevalence.
Shanti’s death now stands as a test of whether Pakistan’s institutions will confront long-standing failures in emergency care, medico-legal reporting, and the protection of women from violence within marriage. The case continues to draw national scrutiny, pushing conversations about medical negligence in Pakistan, SHCC action, and the urgent need to safeguard vulnerable women from systemic failures.
Ali, Imtiaz. “Teenage Victim of Marital Rape Dies in Coma at CHK.” Dawn, July 24, 2025. https://www.dawn.com/news/1926139
“19-Year-Old Girl Dies in Coma After Alleged Marital Rape.” Dawn, July 23, 2025. https://www.dawn.com/news/1926056
Ebrahim, Zofeen T. “Marital Rape: Why Shanti’s Case Is a Test for Pakistan’s Justice System.” Dawn, August 1, 2025. https://www.dawn.com/news/1927851
“Shanti Marital Rape and Murder Case: Court Orders Action Against Private Hospital & Doctor Over Failure to Report Crime.” Sohris, October 22, 2025. https://sohris.com/shanti-marital-rape-and-murder-case-court-orders-action-against-private-hospital-doctor-over-failure-to-report-crime
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Nizamani, Shazia. “When Marriage Becomes Violence: The Untold Crisis of Marital Rape in Pakistan.” The Friday Times, August 27, 2025. https://www.thefridaytimes.com/27-Aug-2025/when-marriage-becomes-violence-the-untold-crisis-of-marital-rape-in-pakistan
The News International “Shanti Marital Rape and Murder Case: Court Orders Action Against Private Hospital, Doctor over Failure to Report Crime.” The News International, October 21, 2025. https://www.thenews.com.pk/amp/1377801-shanti-marital-rape-and-murder-case-court-orders-action-against-private-hospital-doctor-over-failure-to-report-crime
(Rh/ARC/MSM)