Police declare Jhang girl student Ishal Fatima’s death as ‘murder’

In an important development in the case of death of 17-year-old Ishal Fatima, who was raped in Jhang, police on Thursday declared that her death was a murder, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Police inserted section 302 in the FIR registered against three suspects namely Khalilur Rehman, Omais and Hassan, who are presently in the police custody.

Section 34 was also inserted in the case after it emerged that there was also an element of joint conspiracy.

Sources told the 24News TV channel that more revelations were expected as the suspects were being interrogated.

They informed that the police had sped up the pace of the investigation to ascertain the reasons for the incident and to also identify other persons who might be involved in the crime.

On Tuesday, 24News TV channel reported that Punjab Prosecutor General Syed Farhad Ali Shah had taken strict notice of the alleged rape of a student in Jhang district and her subsequent death during treatment, declaring the case a high-profile matter.

In view of the seriousness and public importance of the incident, the prosecutor general immediately summoned the complete record of the case along with the investigating officer.

According to sources, the student was allegedly raped and later shifted to a hospital in a critical condition.

She succumbed to her injuries after remaining under treatment for several days.

The incident sparked serious concern in the area, while members of the public and social circles demanded strict action against those responsible.

The prosecutor general said crimes against women and children are of a very serious nature and that no negligence can be tolerated in such cases.

He made it clear that no accused person would be allowed to escape and that all available legal resources would be utilized to ensure punishment in accordance with the law.

He stated that the prosecution would continue to monitor the case in full coordination with investigating agencies, and would ensure that no obstacle hindered the delivery of justice to the victim's family.

The prosecutor general also directed that a strong challan based on evidence be prepared to facilitate effective legal action against the accused.

Also on Tuesday, 24News TV channel reported that the police in Jhang had arrested all the accused who were involved in abducting and sexually assaulting a teenage girl student, and later brought her in semi-conscious condition to a hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.

The 17-year-old girl student, identified as Ishal Fatima, died at the District Headquarters Hospital after being allegedly abducted from the Sultan Colony area of Jhang and sexually assaulted.

Police said the girl was abducted and was later found in a critical condition at the hospital.

The accused left the girl at the hospital and fled. The girl died during treatment.

Police identified all the four accused with the help of CCTV footage arrested all of them namely Khalilur Rehman, Hamesh Jogi, Hassan Koriana and Haseeb Khan during late-night raids.

The police also took into their custody the car which was used for bringing the girl to the hospital.

The deceased girl’s father has lodged a case of abduction and also decided to include sections relating to murder and other series offences.

The police also collected samples of the medicines given to the girl and other evidence from the hospital.

Police and CCD personnel were now on the hunt to arrest the facilitators of the accused.

Reporter: Awais Khan