Aunt arrested for murder of minor girl in Wazirabad

Suspect confesses after staging fake abduction call

GUJRANWALA:

Police claimed to have solved the mysterious disappearance and murder of a three-year-old girl in the jurisdiction of Sadr Wazirabad police station, arresting the child's paternal aunt who confessed to the crime after initially attempting to portray the incident as an abduction.

The victim, Ayesha, daughter of Ehtesham, had gone missing from her home in the suburban village of Dhonkal.

Police said the child suddenly disappeared while playing outside the house, prompting her family to search for her.

Her body was later recovered near the residence, raising serious suspicions about the circumstances of her death.

City Police Officer (CPO) Dr Sardar Ghiyas Gul Khan took notice of the incident and ordered a thorough investigation.

SHO Inspector Farhat Nawaz Chattha, along with a special police team, launched an inquiry using modern scientific and technical methods.

Police also began door-to-door searches in the area and questioned family members, including the child's parents, grandmother, and aunt.

Investigators found inconsistencies during interviews with the child's paternal aunt, identified as Arooj.

Police officials said her nervous behaviour and inability to provide satisfactory answers deepened suspicion.

She was taken into custody for further questioning.

During interrogation at the police station, the suspect broke down and confessed to killing the child.

Police revealed that after committing the murder, the woman herself made a false emergency call to the police helpline, claiming the girl had been abducted in an attempt to mislead investigators and give the crime the appearance of a kidnapping.

Sources said the motive emerged during the investigation.

Ayesha's father had remarried after the death of his first wife and was living abroad.

The child had been raised with care by her aunt and grandmother and reportedly referred to her aunt as "mother."

Police sources indicated that the suspect believed this caused problems in her marriage prospects, as visiting families would hear the child address her that way.

Investigators said this resentment allegedly led to the tragic act.

Police have secured physical evidence related to the crime and registered a case against the accused under relevant legal provisions. Further investigation is underway.

CPO Dr Ghiyas Gul Khan said those involved in heinous crimes would not be given any leniency and assured that justice would be ensured on merit.

He also appreciated the performance of the SHO Sadr Wazirabad and his team for promptly solving the case.