Child rape, killing probe takes new turn

Court sends prime suspect's brothers on four-day police remand

KARACHI:

The investigation into the rape and murder of a six-year-old boy in Lyari's Lea Market area took a new turn on Friday when a judicial magistrate handed over the two brothers of the prime suspect to police custody for four days.

The two suspects, Shahzad and Imran, were produced before the Judicial Magistrate South after their arrest in connection with the case. During the hearing, the investigating officer (IO) informed the court that their brother, Hamza, had already been arrested as the prime suspect in the child's rape and murder.

The prosecution told the court that Shahzad and Imran were suspected of facilitating Hamza and may have been involved in the crime. The IO said both men were neighbours of the victim and sought their physical remand to determine the extent of their alleged involvement through custodial interrogation.

The court accepted the request and granted police four-day physical remand of both suspects. The magistrate also directed investigators to submit a progress report at the next hearing.

According to police, the child went missing on Monday evening. Investigators said Hamza allegedly disposed of the child's body by placing it in a sack after the incident.

A case has been registered at Napier Police Station, while police continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and the alleged involvement of other individuals.