17 suspects arrested in girl’s kidnap, murder case

PIB Colony investigation police have arrested 17 suspects in connection with the kidnap, rape, and murder of a five-year-old girl, M*, whose burnt body was found wrapped in a sheet in a garbage dump near Essa Nagri on August 5, 2020.

According to police, the DNA samples of all the suspects have been collected and sent for testing at the University of Karachi's (KU) forensic laboratory. Of the 17 arrested, the police have identified three 'prime' suspects - Nawaz and his two sons, who recently moved into the neighbourhood and live at a short distance from the victim's house.

Among them, Nawaz was arrested earlier.

The police await reports of DNA tests and chemical examination of the victim's body before proceeding further with the investigation.

Sections of the Pakistan Penal Code pertaining to murder and rape have been added to the FIR against the case, based on the initial post-mortem report. The initial report stated that the child was raped and then hit on the head with a heavy object.

M had left her house on the morning of August 4, 2020 to go to a nearby shop, and had not returned. The family made announcements at the local mosque and sent out search parties before filing a complaint at PIB Colony Police Station on August 5. Later, the same night M's body was found and identified through her clothing.

Nawaz was reportedly seen at the ground before the body was discovered and was arrested near the location where the body was found. In his initial statement to the police, Nawaz said he had gone to the rubbish heap to look for a panaflex to cover his leaky roof.

An area resident, Jamshed, had earlier informed that when people of the neighbourhood questioned Nawaz about what he was doing at the garbage dump at midnight [when the child's body was found], Nawaz said he had gone to look for pieces of wood and plywood.

According to the victim's grandfather, M's body was found by Nawaz.

*INITIAL USED TO PROTECT IDENTITY

Published in The Express Tribune, September 9^th, 2020.