LAHORE: A seminary student from Bahawalnagar succumbed to injuries after he was subjected to physical abuse at a madrassa in Lahore Cantonment area on Saturday.

According to police, Ali Haider (14)’s torture was not reported to police. His parents took him to their native town in Bahawalnagar and continued treating him privately without informing law enforcement agencies.

Police said the child later succumbed to his injuries. It was only after his death that the family contacted the Police Helpline 15 and informed authorities about the alleged assault.

Upon receiving the information, Burki police left for Bahawalnagar to initiate legal proceedings.

Police also halted the burial to fulfill legal requirements and shifted the body to a hospital for a autopsy.

SP Cantt Akhtar Nawaz said legal action would be taken in the light of the autopsy report and other evidence collected during the investigation.

He said a murder case had been registered against suspect Qari Ghulam Rasool on the complaint of deceased child’s uncle.

The SP said police teams were conducting raids at various locations to arrest the suspect.

Published in Dawn, June 28th, 2026