Girl declared dead resurfaces after three years

A girl who was abducted three years ago and was declared dead has been found alive ced when a police patrol found her.

Earlier, it was alleged that her body had been put in a sack and thrown into a canal.

Five-year-old Adan Fatima, a resident of Dhapai village, had gone out out of her home to play but never returned.

An uncle of the missing girl had informed the police who made inquiries in the area. However, after several days, no progress was made.

A case of kidnapping against unknown persons was registered in the Malka Hans police station by the girl’s uncle.

Several months passed but the girl or her abductors could be found.

The complainant approached the police to conduct an investigation involving his neighbour Muzammil. The neighbour was arrested but later released by the police.

Consequently, the father of the victim approached the Lahore High Court Lahore. Accused Muzammil was later arrested on identification of the victim’s father. The police reported that the accused had confessed to the crime and the girl's shoes had been found, tying him to the case. Even though the police released a video statement of the accused Muzammil confessing to the crime of abducting and murdering the girl, the body was not found. The police reported that the accused had thrown the girl’s body into the canal after an argument with her uncle.

Three years after the incident, the victim Adan Fatima was dropped off by an unknown person near her village. She was found by the patrolling police who handed her over to her parents. Further investigation into the case is ongoing, while the girl’s family has raised questions over the previous case.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 29^th, 2024.