A preliminary post-mortem has found that a 10-year-old girl’s death inside a Lahore tuition center was caused by hanging, while police continue investigating her family’s murder allegations.
By MediaBites News Desk
LAHORE: A preliminary post-mortem report has revealed that a 10-year-old girl who was found dead inside a tuition center washroom in Lahore’s Ichhra area died from asphyxiation caused by hanging, with no obvious signs of physical assault or forced injuries on her body.
The sixth-grade student, identified as Naeema, was discovered under mysterious circumstances at a tuition center in Ittehad Colony, prompting a police investigation.
According to police sources, the initial post-mortem report found a clear ligature mark around the child’s neck, concluding that the cause of death was suffocation resulting from hanging. However, investigators said no visible evidence of physical violence or sexual assault was detected during the preliminary examination.
Following the post-mortem, Naeema’s body was handed over to her family for burial.
Police said the washroom door at the tuition center was not locked when the incident occurred. Initial investigations suggest that the victim’s younger sister was the first to attempt to open the washroom door. When she was unable to do so, Naeema’s elder sister entered and found the child dead inside.
Investigators also disclosed that the victim’s elder sister told police Naeema had allegedly attempted to hang herself at home about two years ago using a scarf.
However, the girl’s father, Adnan, rejected that claim, insisting his daughter had never attempted suicide. He said the earlier incident was merely a childhood prank while she was playing with other children.
The grieving family has strongly disputed the preliminary findings, claiming Naeema was murdered rather than having died by suicide. They said a rope was found hanging inside the tuition center washroom and has since been taken into police custody as evidence.
Police have also collected CCTV footage from cameras installed near the tuition center to help reconstruct the events leading up to the girl’s death.
The family has appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to ensure a transparent investigation and deliver justice.
Police said fingerprints and other forensic evidence collected from the scene have been sent to the forensic laboratory. Officials stressed that no final conclusion will be reached until forensic and chemical examiner reports are received.
As part of the ongoing investigation, police have detained the owner of the tuition center, Abdul Rauf, along with his two sons for questioning. Authorities said three individuals are currently being interrogated while investigators continue examining all possible angles in the case.
Police have maintained that the investigation remains open and that the final cause and circumstances surrounding the child’s death will only be determined after all forensic reports are completed.
