Hours after burial, young girl’s remains dug up

Young man confesses to desecration to have last glimpse of girl he loved.

LAHORE: The grave of a girl laid to rest on Saturday in Khawaspur village Kharian tehsil, Gujrat district, was reportedly desecrated hours after the burial as a young man, Zaheer Ahmed, wished to have a ‘last glimpse’ of the deceased.

Investigation officer Sayed Mubarik told The Express Tribune that Farah Mubeen, 16, passed away after a cardiac arrest on Saturday and was buried at 10am. Her father, Muhammad Anwar, said his cousin Aftab informed him six hours later that the grave had been dug up. The graveyard falls within the precinct of Saddar Lalamusa police.

The police said Zaheer confessed to the desecration, saying his love for Farah was unrequited and he wished to see her as he could not attend her funeral. After seeing Farah’s face, Zaheer reportedly covered the grave and offered Fateha.

Zaheer, an electrician, has reportedly been beaten several times for ‘eve teasing’ in the neighbourhood. He is currently on a four-day physical remand for further investigation. An FIR has been registered against him under Section 297 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Local clerics said no harm was caused to the body. The IO said he also questioned Dr Tahir, who treated Farah before her death. The doctor said Farah felt ‘weak’ and had low blood pressure before she died.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 29^th, 2014.