New Delhi: A Pakistani industrialist’s wife who allegedly mowed down a father-daughter duo with her Toyota Land Cruiser in Karachi is now being reportedly saved by the system. According to reports, “Efforts are being made to show that Natasha is mentally ill.” Pakistanis are questioning the way the police and courts are handling the case, giving the accused preferential treatment, owing to her family’s influence.
Celebrities, politicians, and civil society have all weighed in and are now rallying behind the victims, calling for justice. What has irked most people across social media has been how her name is being protected. While Dawn did not name her in any of their reporting, organisations like Express Tribune allegedly removed all stories of the incident.
The wife of industrialist Danish Ali, who owns Gul Ahmed Textile Mills Limited, Natasha Danish Ali has been allowed to escape accountability. Citizens across social media are also calling for a boycott of the company.
“If this elite woman gets away with killing multiple people, there will be NO hope left for the poor people. Aisa hai mera Pakistan,” a disgruntled X user wrote.
What is the case all about?
The incident took place on 19 August, when Ali’s SUV collided with a motorcycle in Karachi’s Karsaz Road. Her car also hit two other motorcycles before crashing into a parked car and overturning. The severity of the crash drew immediate attention, and videos of the scene recorded by bystanders quickly went viral on social media.
In one such video, the accused is seen in a visibly distressed state surrounded by a crowd. Despite the gravity of the situation, Ali appeared to show little remorse, which incited anger from those present. The video shows local residents warning her to “control [her] attitude” while police officers intervene to protect her from a potential mob.
Eyewitnesses reported that Ali was intoxicated and attempted to flee the scene but was restrained by bystanders and handed over to the authorities. Following the incident, a case was filed against Ali in Karachi.
However, Ali, who faced multiple charges under the Pakistan Penal Code, spent the night at her home rather than in police custody. Her lawyer subsequently stated that she was on medication for mental stress, arguing that she was not fully aware of her actions at the time of the accident.
On 20 August, the police were unable to present the suspect in court, citing that she was receiving psychiatric treatment at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) while in custody. The investigation officer had requested a 14-day police remand, but the court only granted a one-day remand, Dawn reported.
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Calls for justice
Social media users have now turned into sleuths for the case. Most shared screenshots of how Ali held numerous positions within Gul Ahmed Textile Mills Limited.
“Despite alleged questions about the mental fitness of #NatashaDanish, the question is how can a psychopath or lunatic person get a driver’s license in London, become the CEO of two companies, and hold directorship in multiple Gul Ahmed companies,” an X user asked.
They also applauded after the doctor in charge of Ali’s behavioural examination refused to classify her as a patient of psychosis.
“So, any drunkard in this country can hit you while you’re trying to park your car, travelling on a service road or main road, walking, riding a bike, or even in your car. These elites are the real owners of Pakistan,” another X user wrote.
Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari also questioned why media outlets chose to not name Ali in any of their reports.
Meanwhile, actors like Bushra Ansari and Durefishan Saleem called out the selective treatment of the accused. Ansari read out a poem titled Prado Wali Pagal on the disparity of justice meted out to people.
“Gareeb hona ek sazaa hai, tu na fikr kar. Katila ladki tu maze kar, tujhe kuch nahi hoga (Poverty is a punishment, but you don’t worry about it. Have fun, murderer woman, no harm will come your way),” the poem read.
(Edited by Prasanna Bachchhav)