RAWALPINDI:
A tragic case reported in the Kent Roshan area of Rawalpindi was confirmed on Monday as a brutal murder, following the recovery of the body of a 10-day-old abducted infant from a well inside the family home.
Jatli police investigations revealed that the infant was murdered by his paternal aunt, who allegedly acted out of jealousy after her sister-in-law gave birth to a male child. The accused, 33-year-old Sadia Bibi, has been arrested.
According to police, the child’s father, Kamran Shahzad, informed authorities on Saturday evening that he had been away at work while his wife and other family members were at home.
He said that his wife briefly stepped out to give clothes to her sister-in-law, leaving the 10-day-old baby asleep on a bed. Upon returning a few minutes later, she discovered that the infant was missing.
At the time, the child’s grandmother, aunt and a 12-year-old maternal aunt were present in the house. A thorough search of all rooms and surrounding areas was conducted, but the infant could not be found. Upon receiving the report, ASP Gujar Khan Daniyal Kazmi and SHO Jamal Nawaz, along with a forensic team, arrived at the scene and continued the search late into the night.
The house well was also inspected; however, as it was covered from above and approximately 100 feet deep, no trace was found despite the use of lighting. Police decided to conduct a detailed search in daylight and registered a case of kidnapping.
On Sunday morning, when the household attempted to operate the water pump and no water emerged, a mechanic lowered the pump into the well. During this process, the body of the ten-day-old infant was discovered and retrieved. Police were present at the scene.
Police officials stated that the infant was only ten days old, the room where he had been sleeping was at a distance from the well, and the well was properly covered, making it impossible for the child to have reached or fallen into it on his own.
Taking notice of the incident, Rawalpindi City Police Officer Khalid Hamdani directed senior officers to intervene. Investigation SSP Nasir Ali, Saddar SP Inam Sher, and ASP Daniyal Kazmi personally supervised the collection of forensic evidence. Based on suspicion, the three family members present at the time were taken into custody for questioning.
Within hours, the investigation led to a breakthrough. Police disclosed that the infant was murdered by his paternal aunt, who confessed to throwing the baby into the well out of jealousy.
Police said that both the accused and her sister-in-law previously had one daughter each, and the birth of a son to the sister-in-law had elevated her standing within the family, which allegedly triggered the crime.
Police officials confirmed that the accused has confessed to the crime, and that the charge of murder has now been added to the First Information Report (FIR).
Saddar SP Inam Sher said that the accused would be challaned with solid evidence and that the police would ensure she is awarded the punishment prescribed by law.
