Couple held for allegedly burning niece

Suspects set orphan girl ablaze after she returned with less begging money

FAISALABAD:

Police have arrested a man and his wife for allegedly torturing his 10-year-old orphaned niece and setting her on fire after she returned home with less money than expected from begging in Tandlianwala.

The girl, identified as Nisha, sustained burn injuries and was shifted to hospital for treatment.

City Police Officer (CPO) Faisalabad Tanveer Hussain took notice of the incident after reports circulated on social media and sought a detailed report from SP Saddar Division Saeed Ahmed Sial.

Police said Nisha and her two younger siblings, including five-year-old Sahil, had been living with their uncle, Amir Mushtaq, and aunt, Sonia, in Chak 409-GB, near Jalla Mor, following the death of their father some time ago.

The couple allegedly forced the children to beg for money.

Police said the incident occurred when Nisha returned home with a smaller amount than expected. Her uncle and aunt allegedly became angry, subjected her to physical violence, poured petrol on her and set her alight with a matchstick.

Following the CPO's directions, Saddar Tandlianwala SHO Sohail Aslam, along with City Tandlianwala SHO Ahmed Muneeb Shah, used modern investigative techniques to trace and arrest both suspects during raids. They were subsequently taken into custody for questioning.

SP Saeed Ahmed Sial also visited the hospital to inquire about the girl's condition, while Child Protection Bureau teams reached Tandlianwala and initiated proceedings in the case.

Police registered a case against the couple under Sections 336-B, 324 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code and Section 10 of the Punjab Vagrancy Ordinance, 1958. Further investigation is under way.