BAHAWALPUR: The girl from village Chailainawala, who allegedly committed suicide after a rape attempt on her by a village fellow and delayed action by the police, took the extreme step to save her family from disrespect and dishonour, her father claims to have been told by the girl before her death.

In a video message found on social media on Saturday, Ghulam Farid could be seen saying that his family had submitted an application against the rape suspect to police, who told them that action would be taken after senior officials returned to the police post.

After submitting the application, he said they returned home and his daughter went to the washroom where she allegedly consumed pesticide.

She came out and told them that she was ending her life after which people would not taunt her parents.

He said finding his daughter in a serious condition they rushed her to Bahawal Victoria Hospital where she died.

Farid said had police taken action on time, his daughter would be alive.

After the father’s remarks, it appears that no letter supposedly written by the girl had been found after her death, as claimed by the website of a news channel. The news report had claimed that the girl had left a letter for her father so that police could not harass him over the alleged rape case.

Police officials also denied finding any letter.

Moreover, Dawn learnt that the deceased was not literate so was unable to write and read. She would cut and collect grass from the fields along with her mother.

Published in Dawn, September 20th, 2020