GUJRAT: A woman and her three children were allegedly murdered by their relative over a property dispute at Shaampur village in Kakrali police precincts early on Tuesday.

Police sources said the suspect, Safdar Hussain, had a property dispute with his brother who was employed in Saudi Arabia, while his wife Shakeela Bibi resided at Shaampur village, with her three minor children – son Abdu Roshan (13) and two minor daughters Maryam and Zainab in the joint family.

As per the police, early on Tuesday, Hussain allegedly attacked his sister-in-law and her three children while they were asleep in their room with a club, smashing their heads. They died on the spot.

The dead bodies were shifted to the Kharian THQ Hospital for autopsy by the Rescue 1122 staff, whereas a Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) team that was called by the police collected forensic evidence from the crime scene.

Gujrat District Police Officer Umar Salamat says the suspect has been arrested and investigation is launched.

He says a murder case was lodged against the suspect and his wife Safia Bibi under sections 302 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code on the report of Tanveer, a cousin of the deceased Shakeela Bibi.

Taking notice of the brutal murders, Punjab Inspector General of Police Rao Sardar has directed the DPO to personally monitor the investigation into the case.

Published in Dawn, March 16th, 2022