GUJRAT: A landlord allegedly beat up a 10-year-old boy, burnt him with scalding hot water and chopped off his arms, following a dispute between the victim’s father over electricity theft in Gujrat.
Officials said 30-year-old Ghulam Mustafa had an argument with his neighbour Nasir Iqbal in Chak Bhawala on July 15. Mustafa demanded Rs5,000 from Iqbal for an electricity wire that was connected to the latter’s electricity meter and passed through the former’s property.
However, Iqbal, refused and the two men argued over the issue.
Later, when Iqbal’s 10-year-old son Tabassum went to bathe at a tube well on Mustafa’s property, he was reportedly beaten by the landlord, who also poured hot water on him. Tabassum reportedly tried to hide in the nearby fields before Mustafa found him and tied him with rope. Mustafa then used a threshing machine to sever the boy’s arms.
Mustafa then took the boy to a private hospital on Bhambar Road, where he tried to hush up the crime. He also donated blood for the boy.
However, as Iqbal found out about his son’s condition, he tried to file an FIR against Mustafa in the Cantt Gujrat police station. Iqbal told The Express Tribune that SHO Shaukat Taupa said he could not file a case without a medical report. No action was taken against Mustafa until Iqbal contacted the media.
As the news spread, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif took notice of the incident and ordered a report from top police officials.
Iqbal said the police then filed a case against Mustafa on the charge of attempted murder; they did not request a medical certificate in this case.
Police raided Mustafa’s residence and arrested him. The landlord reportedly told police officials that Mustafa is his nephew and he accidently ‘hit’ him. Iqbal, however, denies these claims.
District Police Officer Rai Ijaz said a five-member board of doctors has been put together to oversee the boy’s treatment.
No official from the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau has taken notice of the incident yet.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 25th, 2014.
COMMENTS (6)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
@ali: says who? What made you think that Islam is the most superior of all religions and the only solution to world problems? In fact, I have read about 4 major religions of the world and surprisingly they all teach the same thing. If we follow any one of these properly the world will be a safe and nice place. The problem is in our interpretation and in our belief that whoever doesn't follow our religion is worthless. If we cant respect their gods, why should we expect respect for our God. No religion is the ultimate solution and every religion can be ultimate solution as long as we behave as humans. This is where I have a problem with these Jihadis. They are the biggest threat to Islam.
Tooth for tooth n hands for hands - this butcher land does not require or deserve any investigation or lawyer. Land lords both hands should be cut n hot water should be sprayed on him first. After that bleedy investigation may go on n on.
this is the world as it is, a few billionaires are richer than half the world populace. Islam truly is liberation for humanity, from zakat to social rules and laws are the way forward for humanity
@Ishrat salim: and thats impossible from armed forces to politicians and bureaucrats are all family
It is the mindset of rich and powerful. Nobody from up above can change it. We would not change and continue to wait for a miracle or messiah to descend from the sky.
Unless we get rid of feudalism from our country, such criminal act will continue....