BAHAWALPUR: Vehari police claimed to have arrested two suspects, including a female constable and her husband, in connection with an alleged corruption case involving over Rs 2.1 million.

Two other suspects -- a station house office and an assistant sub-inspector -- have been suspended from service and are yet to be arrested.

According to police spokesperson Adnan Tariq, DPO Muhammad Afzal took serious notice of the allegations and ordered the registration of a case against SHO Tibba Sultanpur Iftikhar Larka, ASI Rizwan Ahmed, woman constable Sakina Bibi, and her husband Abdul Wahab. Daniwal police registered a case. Sakina Bibi and Abdul Wahab were arrested on Monday, the SHO and ASI have yet to be apprehended.

Tariq said the FIR was lodged on the complaint of Abdul Ghani, a resident of village 158/WB in tehsil Mailsi. Ghani alleged that after an inquiry was initiated against him on an application, the police officials threatened to kill him in a staged encounter unless he paid them a bribe.

He claimed that Sakina Bibi, along with her husband and the other officials, demanded and received over Rs2.1m between March 29 and May 17, 2025 in instalments. Despite the payments, Ghani and his brother were later booked in FIRs 273/25 and 351/25.

The FIR was registered under sections 406, 161, 162, 163, 164, and 155 of the Pakistan Penal Code. The PRO said efforts were underway to arrest the remaining suspects.

FOOD POISONING: At least 10 seminary students fell seriously ill due to suspected food poisoning in Gangiwala village on Monday.

Seven of the children identified as Usman (8), Asghar (12), Bilawal (9), Faraz (8), Hamza (15), Samiullah (13), and Ayan (12) were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Lodhran, where their condition was said to be unstable.

According to police and Rescue 1122, the students, aged between 8 and 15, became ill after consuming grams during breakfast. They began vomiting and some reportedly lost consciousness.

DPO Lodhran Ali Bin Tariq and other officials visited the site following the incident. Doctors at the hospital said the affected children were receiving treatment.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2025