GUJRAT: A gardener allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison after killing his colleague over an “honour-related issue” at Daulat Nagar village.

As per police, Arshad of Gujranwala and Hassan Raza of Chariyawala village had been working as gardeners in the house of Nawab Khalil, who had recently returned from Denmark after working there for several years.

According to initial police investigation, Raza (25) had gone to his native village to visit his family. His colleague Arshad (45), went to Raza’s house on January 21 and both left the village the next day.

However, when Raza’s family tried to contact him, his mobile phone was found switched off.

Later, Raza’s body was found in pieces packed in a sack in front of his employer Khalil’s house, while Arshad had to be hospitalised after he allegedly consumed poison. He later died at the hospital.

Raza’s father was called from the village by police for identification of the body.

A senior police officer told Dawn that in the initial investigation it seemed to be a case of the “honour” killing. He said as per the hand written note found with Arshad’s body Raza had attempted to rape his (Arshad’s) 14-year-old daughter and that was the reason he murdered him.

He said in the note Arshad sought forgiveness from his employer Khalil for his act and he later consumed poisonous pills for fear of being arrested.

However, he said that autopsy of both the bodies had been conducted at the Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Teaching Hospital and the reports were awaited. Further investigation into the case was underway to reveal the truth, the police officer added.

Police have also detained Khalil and two other suspects for investigation.

Meanwhile, a case has been lodged against five people -- three of them nominated, under sections 302, 201 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) on the report of Muhammad Afzal, father of Hassan Raza.

Afzal in his complaint alleged that both his son and Arshad had allegedly been killed at the behest of Khalil and his friend Riaz Gujjar.

Both the deceased were laid to rest in the graveyard of their native villages.

Published in Dawn, January 24th, 2020