Pakistani Officer to Face Murder Trial Over Perth Girl's Death; Indian Restaurant Sauma Earns Acclaim
A Pakistani police officer is set to stand trial following an official inquiry into the shooting death of a nine-year-old Perth girl in Pakistan, after investigators rejected his claim of self-defence. Separately, Perth's Indian dining scene has gained a significant new presence in Sauma, a modern Indian bar and restaurant that has drawn strong praise for moving well beyond the standard offerings of the genre.
Pakistani Officer to Face Trial Over Perth Girl's Shooting Death
A Pakistani police officer is to face trial in connection with the death of a nine-year-old Perth girl in Pakistan, following the conclusion of a formal inquiry into the case. The inquiry rejected the officer's claims that he was acting in self-defence at the time of the shooting. The finding that self-defence could not be sustained clears the way for criminal proceedings to continue. The case was reported by the Sydney Morning Herald on 22 August 2026. The girl is described as a Perth girl, indicating her family has ties to Western Australia and the Australian South Asian diaspora community. The case involves both the Pakistani justice system and the broader Australian community, given the victim's connection to Perth. The inquiry's decision represents a significant development in the legal process that followed the girl's death. The matter will now proceed to a formal criminal trial in Pakistan. The case has drawn attention in Australia because of the victim's Perth connections and the circumstances of the shooting. The outcome of the trial proceedings remains to be determined. [1]
🍛 Perth Restaurant Sauma Praised for Adventurous Modern Indian Cooking
Sauma, a modern Indian bar and restaurant in Perth, has received strong praise in a review published by WAtoday on 18 July 2026. Reviewer Max Veenhuyzen described the establishment as approachable and adventurous, fun yet focused, and said it feels perfect for now. The review's headline positioned Sauma as a restaurant that goes well beyond the familiar confines of butter chicken and standard Indian fare. Among the dishes highlighted, tandoor-roasted chicken thighs served in a sauce of mint and green chilli were singled out as a standout preparation. The reviewer said this dish may restore faith in chicken tikka, suggesting a meaningful reinvention of a widely known classic. Sauma operates as both a bar and a restaurant, pointing to a contemporary social dining format. Its approach draws on traditional Indian cooking methods, including the tandoor, while presenting them in a modern and accessible way. The establishment is positioned as part of a more adventurous and regionally diverse Indian dining movement. The review in WAtoday, a prominent Perth-focused publication, gives Sauma considerable visibility among food-conscious audiences in Western Australia. The restaurant's success reflects growing interest among Perth diners in authentic, ambitious Indian cuisine that moves beyond familiar takeaway staples. [3]
Sources: [1] SMH.com.au · [3] WAtoday