Whodunit: Sweeper found dead at training institute

MULTAN: Police on Friday took two employees of a vocational training institute in custody after the body of a sweeper was found in an office earlier.

The body of 21-year-old Asif Masih was discovered early on Friday when students and staff members entered the building.

“Masih was a resident of Pathanwala Colony and had been working as a sweeper at the school for the last five years,” said Principal Zahida while talking to The Tribune.  “He came to my house around 6 am and took the keys of the institute to open it for cleaning. I found my office had been cleaned when I went later in the morning,” she said.

Model City police had responded to the call by the administration. SHO Mujahid Hussain cordoned off the crime scene and ordered evacuation of the building.  Two people - a security guard whose gun had been found on the crime scene and a clerk – were taken into custody.  An FIR under Section 302 of Pakistan Penal Code was registered on the complaint of Aslam Masih, a brother of the deceased. The body was sent to Lodhran District Headquarters Hospital for post-mortem examination. Aslam Masih told newsmen that his brother had been receiving death threats via phone calls and text messages. “Police have taken his mobile phone. They will find evidence of threats to his life on it.”  He said his brother went to work at 6 am every morning. “He would clean the building and return before noon. He had cleaned a portion of the college when he was killed,” he said. Lodhran DPO Asad Sarfraz told newsmen that police were investigating the matter. “We will learn the cause of death when the autopsy report is available,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 4^th, 2016.