Main suspect in Ishal Fatima case injured during escape attempt
The main suspect in the high-profile Ishal Fatima case suffered a broken leg after an alleged attempt to escape police custody in Jhang, the 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Wednesday.
Sources said Khalilur Rehman, the principal accused in the case, was being taken by police for further investigation when he allegedly tried to jump from a police motorcycle in an effort to flee. During the attempted escape, the motorcycle reportedly crashed into an electricity pole.
The collision left Khalilur Rehman with a fractured leg, while the police constable riding the motorcycle also sustained injuries. Rescue 1122 personnel arrived at the scene, provided initial medical assistance and transferred the suspect to hospital for treatment.
The latest development comes as authorities continue to investigate the death of 17-year-old Ishal Fatima, whose case has attracted widespread public attention across Punjab.
Last month, the Punjab government constituted a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to examine the circumstances surrounding the case. The team is headed by Superintendent of Police Investigation Rehman Qadir and includes three deputy superintendents of police, three station house officers and an investigator.
In addition to murder allegations, the case also involves charges of rape and other offences. Four suspects were nominated in a petition submitted by the victim’s father. The accused named in the case are Khalilur Rehman, Haseeb, Umas and Hassan.
According to police records, information was received on 7 June that a teenage girl had been admitted to a private hospital in critical condition after being brought there by unidentified individuals who subsequently fled the scene. The victim was later identified as Ishal Fatima.
Police arrested the suspects and seized the vehicle allegedly used to transport the girl to the hospital. A kidnapping case had already been registered at Satellite Town Police Station before the girl's death.
Investigators said the main suspect claimed that the girl's health suddenly deteriorated and that she had been taken to hospital for medical treatment. Police, however, continue to examine all aspects of the case and are collecting evidence to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
District Police Officer Jhang, Sajid Hussain, has assured the victim’s family that justice will be delivered and that the investigation will be pursued to its conclusion.
Sources familiar with the investigation alleged that the victim was abducted and later subjected to sexual assault by multiple suspects at a relative’s residence linked to the principal accused. These allegations remain part of the ongoing investigation and have yet to be determined by a court of law.
Reporter: Awais Khan