A 21-year-old orphaned girl staying at her sister's house was allegedly sexually assaulted and later killed upon conceiving a child by her brother-in-law and another individual and latter.
According to the police, family members of suspects were also reported to be involved in the crime.
They said when it was discovered that the girl was pregnant, she was allegedly poisoned to cover up the crime.
The family buried her without reporting her death to allegedly conceal the crime.
After the incident was reported on social media, Rawalpindi City Police Officer (CPO) Khalid Hamdani took notice, and an investigation was initiated.
The police said the post-mortem confirmed that the girl was eight months pregnant and had suffered abuse. Police have registered a case against her brother-in-law, his mother, and his sister, for murder, sexual assault, and the destruction of evidence.
The police are also investigating the involvement of other suspects.
The incident was revealed on social media on January 13, after which CPO Hamdani ordered an inquiry. The girl's relatives confirmed that she had been subjected to abuse, and her sister told police that her husband and his accomplice had raped the victim.
The police further said that the victim's family had been implicated in the crime, with claims that they poisoned the victim. They also reported that they were awaiting forensic reports on the poison and DNA tests.
According to police officials, the suspects, including Gulfraz (the brother-in-law), Ameen (a neighbour), and the two women, Gulfraz's mother and sister, were arrested and will be presented in court. Investigations suggest the motive behind the murder was to conceal the alleged sexual assault.
The Rawalpindi CPO stated that a thorough investigation will be conducted, and the suspects will be prosecuted with solid evidence. "Let me make it clear that the police stand with the victims, and all legal procedures will be followed to ensure the culprits are brought to justice," he said.
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