MUZAFFARGARH: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested two suspects for sexual abuse and blackmail of a 16-year-old boy who was allegedly administered poison, resulting in his death.

The family of the boy terms it a murder while police say the boy committed suicide.

The incident had taken place in Khangarh city in March when Zohrain Haider, a first year student, died. After his death, his family found his mobile phone and got it unlocked. They found screenshots and messages of the abuse and sexual harassment and reported the matter to the FIA office in Multan.

The FIA officials registered a case against eight suspects on Aug 5.

Probe goes on to determine suicide or murder

Ghulam Mujtaba, the father of Zohrain Haider and the complainant in the case, alleged that on March 26, his daughter-in-law received Zohrain’s call who told her that Muzakkir Qureshi, Arif Qureshi, Sajid Jahanzaib, Hamza and others had sexually abused him, made him drink juice and left him at Shah Jamal Chowk.

When the family members reached there, Zohrain was unconscious. They shifted him to Khangarh Hospital where the doctors referred him in Nishtar Hospital in Multan. Zohrain died in the hospital on March 28 and the medical report declared that he had died of poison.

Dawn learnt Zohrain’s mobile phone had many videos and evidences of threats.

The FIA Multan, which conducted a raid at Khangarh, arrested two suspects, Sajid Hussain and Hamza.

SHO Khangarh Kamran Saif said he had registered the case under the Section 292C (child pornography) of the PPC. He claimed that when Zohrain died, his father, Ghulam Mujtaba, had given a video statement as well written statement, saying his son had committed suicide.

The SHO said that after his death of the boy, his family saw his videos of victim and approached the FIA. Sources said Zohrain was raped by the gang multiple times due to the blackmail.

Mujtaba said his son was under pressure and had depression. He alleged that after the incident, his daughter also received threat messages from the suspects. He said he had given the mobile phone of his daughter also to the FIA officials for investigation.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2021