Probe stalls in sibling detention case

Police yet to release vital reports over a month after victims' release

CHAKWAL:

The investigation into the illegal detention case of Jabeen Bibi and her brother Hassan Raza failed to make any headway as the Neela police have yet to release the forensic and medical reports of both victims despite the passing of a month of their release from captivity.

Jabeen was found dead at an outhouse, while Raza was found alive during a police raid. Both the siblings had been kept in illegal detention by their paternal cousin who wanted to grab their ancestral property.

Over a month has passed, and the medical report for Hassan and the forensic report for Jabeen's post-mortem have still not been released.

A team from The Express Tribune reached the police station to inquire about the reports, but the police refused to provide any information and denied access to the reports. The Neela SHO was present in the station, while Hassan Raza was in police custody, but the team was prevented from speaking to Raza off-camera.

The policemen refused to cooperate when they were asked if a delay in the release of medical and forensic reports might be benefiting the suspects.

The Punjab government and the Punjab Police chief have already taken notice of the case, yet the delay in the reports persists. Whether this delay is due to the inefficiency of the Lahore Forensic Lab or a deliberate withholding by the police, concerns have been raised among the local community and the legal fraternity.

A heart-wrenching incident occurred in the Ghag area on February 12, 2025, in the Neela police limits. On February 2, the police received an anonymous letter stating that two siblings had been held captive in a mansion for two years, urging the Punjab Chief Minister to ensure their release. Acting on this letter, the police arrived at the mansion, where they found Jabeen dead, while her brother, Hassan Raza, was rescued alive.

The police conducted a post-mortem on Jabeen and a medical check-up for Raza at the DHQ Chakwal. A case was registered on behalf of the state and a search for the suspects began.

Following The Express Tribune's continuous coverage of the incident, the police managed to arrest three suspects—Ansar Mehmood, Shakeel, and Ashraf—and obtained a five-day physical remand. Later, the suspects were judicially remanded and sent to Jhelum district jail.