In a shocking twist to the tragic case of 10-year-old Sara Sharif’s death, her father, Urfan Sharif, has denied killing his daughter and instead pointed the finger at his wife, Beinash Batool, calling her the “true villain of the piece.” The startling accusations came to light during the ongoing trial at the Old Bailey, where Sharif, Batool, and Sharif’s brother, Faisal Malik, stand accused of subjecting the young girl to a violent “campaign of abuse” before her lifeless body was discovered in a bunk bed at the family’s Surrey home on August 10, 2023.
A Father’s Desperate Attempt to Save His Daughter
According to Sharif’s defense barrister, Naeem Mian KC, the father had rushed home from work on August 8 after receiving a call from Batool. Upon arriving, he found Sara “limp” and in the company of his wife. Mian recounted Sharif’s version of events, stating that the father had asked, “What the hell has happened here?” before being told by Batool that another child was responsible for Sara’s condition.
In a heart-wrenching scene, Sharif allegedly attempted CPR on his daughter, begging for an ambulance to be called. However, his pleas were met with a chilling response from Batool, who reportedly told him in Urdu or Punjabi, “Leave it, she’s dead. Leave it, she’s dead.”
A Bitter Custody Battle and Allegations of Abuse
The court heard that Sara had been living with her father following an acrimonious split from her biological mother, Olga, in 2014. The couple, who had met online in 2009, engaged in a heated custody battle, with allegations of abuse flying from both sides. Sharif claimed that Olga had bitten another child and abused Sara during and after their marriage, while Olga accused Sharif of having an affair with Batool, being controlling, and engaging in domestic violence and child abuse.
Despite the allegations against him, Batool had reportedly supported Sharif throughout the custody battle. Sharif, who described himself as “extremely hardworking” and the sole breadwinner of the family, admitted to occasionally disciplining the children “with a slap” when losing patience due to the constant reports of issues with them.
Denying the Unthinkable
Taking the stand, Sharif vehemently denied killing Sara or subjecting her to any form of abuse, including biting, burning, or beating her with a cricket bat or white pole. He maintained that he had initially decided to take the blame for Sara’s death and flee to Pakistan after Batool claimed another child had injured her.
The case took a dramatic turn when Sharif, Batool, and Malik were arrested upon their return from Pakistan in September 2023. Prosecutors allege that the defendants killed Sara on August 8 before fleeing the country, with Sharif leaving a handwritten “confession” near her fully clothed body that read, “I swear to God that my intention was not to kill her. But I lost it.”
A Complex Web of Accusations
As the trial continues, the jury must navigate a complex web of accusations and counter-accusations. While Sharif points the finger at Batool as the “true villain,” prosecutors paint a picture of a father who “lost it” and subjected his daughter to unspeakable abuse.
The tragic case of Sara Sharif’s death has sent shockwaves through the community and raised questions about the systems in place to protect vulnerable children. As the trial unfolds, the truth behind the young girl’s untimely demise remains to be uncovered, with the hope that justice will ultimately prevail for Sara and her loved ones.
