The DPO says the incident is being investigated from all angles and suspects will be dealt with in accordance with the law
Sargodha police arrest 3 suspects for allegedly burying boy alive after reporting attempted rape
A 14-year-old boy was allegedly buried alive in a village on the outskirts of Mari Lak in Punjab’s Sargodha district after he reported an old rape attempt, police said on Saturday, adding that a case was registered and three suspects were arrested.
The injured boy was rescued and taken to the District Headquarters Hospital, where doctors said his condition was out of danger.
According to the police, the 14-year-old was allegedly subjected to an attempted rape about 20 days ago. However, the family did not contact the police at the time, which is why nothing was done at the time. The police initially arrested two suspects, while the main suspect was later taken into custody.
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Sargodha District Police Officer Muhammad Suhaib Ashraf said the incident was being investigated from all angles and the suspects would be dealt with in accordance with the law. He said it was too early to conclude the allegations, adding that a final opinion would be formed after forensic reports.
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The boy told Express Pakinomist that after he complained about the incident, the suspects became angry and decided to punish him.
“He (the prime suspect) decided to teach me a lesson. On Muharram 9, I was picked up outside my house in the afternoon and severely beaten by him along with two accomplices,” the boy said.
“He later took me to a deserted area where bushes were growing and a hole had already been dug by a wild animal. I was thrown into it and covered with earth,” he added.
A first information report (FIR) was registered on Friday on the complaint of the boy’s mother at Jhal Chakian police station under sections 34 (common intention), 324 (attempt to murder) and 376(3) (rape of minor) and identified three suspects.
According to the FIR, a copy of which is available with Express Pakinomistshe said that on June 25 around 4:30 p.m., her 14-year-old son left home to attend a gathering but did not return until late that evening, prompting the family to inform the police via the 15 helpline.
She further said that the following day she and her husband were still searching for the boy when they suddenly heard a child crying. When they reached the spot, they found the child buried in the ground, with only his legs visible. The police and Rescue 1122 team were called again, after which Rescue 1122 staff picked up the child and took him to DHQ Hospital.
The FIR added that when the child regained consciousness, he said that about 20 days earlier, he had told the prime suspect’s elder brother that his siblings had indecently assaulted him.
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He further said that on June 25, while on his way to a gathering at about 5 PM and reached Dera Wadhra, the prime suspect intercepted him and questioned him about revealing the incident to his elder brother.
The FIR stated that the other two suspects also arrived at the spot after which all three abused and assaulted him and took him to nearby fields where they subjected him to violence and buried him in the ground.
The complainant termed the incident as a grave injustice and requested the prosecution of the suspects for justice and their punishment.
