Sargodha: Christian farm labourer tortured and killed. Pressure not to report the crime

21-year-old Marcus Masih died on 4 March at the farm where he worked. The owners spoke of ‘suicide’, but there are clear signs of violence on the body. The community takes to the streets and demands justice, but the police report them for obstructing traffic. The family is under pressure to avoid trial and prison for the suspects.

Sargodha (AsiaNews) - The death of a young Christian farm labourer in the district of Sargodha, in the province of Punjab, has sparked protests by members of the local community, who claim he was brutally tortured to death by his employers.

Police and family members say that 21-year-old Marcus Masih (pictured), who died on 4 March in Chak No. 36 South, had been working for several years on a cattle farm owned by two local landowners.

When they notified the family, the employers initially claimed that he had committed suicide by hanging himself in the barn. However, when the body was handed over to the family after the autopsy, relatives said it had visible injuries, including bruises and burns, raising suspicions that he had been tortured before his death.

The incident sparked protests by members of the Christian community, who placed the body on a road and blocked traffic, demanding justice and the arrest of those responsible. The protesters called for a transparent investigation and accountability.

Following the street demonstrations, the police registered a preliminary complaint (FIR) under section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code against the two farm owners, the main suspects in the young labourer's death.

The authorities have stated that an investigation is underway and further action will be taken based on the results of forensic analysis and the autopsy. Nevertheless, the victim's relatives have expressed dissatisfaction with the pace and direction of the investigating authorities' work. Speaking to the media, a family member said he feared the case would not be properly prosecuted due to the influence of the accused.

‘We are not satisfied with the investigation so far. Marcus was our only son and he worked honestly for years. We demand a fair and transparent investigation,’ he said, ‘and severe punishment for those responsible for his death.’

Meanwhile, the police have also filed a separate complaint against several protesters, accusing them of blocking a public road and disrupting traffic during the protest held after Masih's death. The decision has drawn criticism from community members, who say the show of force was an extreme but peaceful attempt to obtain justice.

Community leaders and human rights activists have expressed concern, saying the case highlights ‘the vulnerability of low-income workers and members of religious minority communities working in rural areas’.

Police officials explain that investigations are underway to determine the exact circumstances of the death and announce the arrest of the two main perpetrators, Basharat and Mohsin, who are now behind bars.

In reality, the family disputes the officers' version of events, partly because they did not see, nor did they have any definite proof, of the arrest of the two alleged perpetrators. Hence the request by relatives and family members for certainty of information and further confirmation of the arrest and their involvement in the killing of the young farm labourer.

When interviewed by AsiaNews, Dilshad Masih, Marcus's brother, said that the family is under pressure to reach a compromise with the accused. ‘We are under constant pressure to resolve the issue and accept an agreement with the guilty parties. We feel insecure because of this pressure,’ he said.

‘We also ask people to avoid spreading false news on social media about our agreement with the guilty parties; we are already receiving threats from the accused. It is a shame,’ Dilshad continues, ‘that those who killed our brother are sending various people from the community to reach a compromise, but, on the other hand, our people are facing criminal charges for protesting and demanding justice.’

The brother explains that the family is seeking justice and has rejected any offers of financial compensation. ‘We don't want blood money. We want justice,’ he concludes, ‘for this brutal act of violence committed against Marcus.’