Police searching for suspects in labourer sexual assault, murder case

LAHORE: Police have started raids to arrest the suspects nominated in a case involving the alleged torture, sexual assault and killing of a young labourer in Sheikhupura’s Amooki area, while the victim’s family says the main accused are still at large.

The case was registered at Sadar Police Station Sheikhupura on June 1 on the complaint of the victim’s father, Muhammad Boota. The FIR states that his 25-year-old son, Fulk Sher, was taken from the neighbourhood late at night by a local man, Riyasat Ali, who allegedly told him he needed to discuss an urgent matter.

The complaint says that when Fulk Sher did not return for hours, people in the area later heard cries coming from a nearby house. When residents went there, they allegedly found five men, who were already feared in the locality, assaulting the victim while he was naked and semi-conscious.

A video that later circulated on social media showed the victim unconscious while violence was being inflicted on him. The person filming the footage can be heard alleging that the victim had first been tied to a bed, sexually assaulted, and then subjected to severe torture, including burns on his back and beatings with sticks.

Rescue 1122 reached the scene, provided first aid and shifted the injured man to hospital in critical condition. He later died of his injuries.

Local residents alleged that the suspects are influential figures and drug users. They also said there had been a minor dispute between the victim and the accused a few days earlier, but that matter had apparently been resolved through local mediation. They alleged, however, that the suspects continued to hold a grudge and later lured him before carrying out the attack.

Sadar Police Station SHO Mian Naveed Ashraf said a case was registered immediately after the complaint was filed and that raids are under way to apprehend the accused. He said police were making efforts to arrest those nominated in the case and bring them to justice.