Accused in six-year-old's rape-murder confesses in court

Four accused sent to jail on judicial remand by magistrate

KARACHI:

n a gruesome case that has sent shockwaves through the metropolis, a judicial magistrate on Tuesday sent four accused to jail on judicial remand after the prime suspect confessed to the rape and murder of a six-year-old boy in the Lea Market area.

The main accused, identified as Hamza, made a startling confession before the court of the Judicial Magistrate (District South), admitting that he had subjected the minor to sexual assault before strangling him to death. The police produced all four suspects before the magistrate upon the completion of their physical remand.

According to sources, Hamza told the court that he had killed the child after the assault and initially concealed the body out of fear of being caught by police. The following day, he admitted to taking the body to the rooftop of a building and discarding it in a nearby street.

The police investigation revealed that the accused was a neighbour of the victim, which facilitated the heinous crime. After the murder, the suspect allegedly placed the body in a sack and hid it before disposing of it the next morning. The police also arrested the accused's brother, father, and uncle on charges of facilitating the crime and attempting to shield the prime suspect from arrest. All three were produced alongside Hamza and subsequently sent to jail on judicial remand.

A case was registered against the four suspects at Napier police station under relevant sections of the Pakistan Penal Code and the Child Protection Act. The incident had earlier sparked outrage among local residents, who staged protests demanding swift justice for the minor.

Police officials have assured that the investigation is ongoing and that forensic evidence is being collected to strengthen the prosecution's case. The court has adjourned further proceedings, with the next hearing expected to take place after the judicial remand period concludes.