SAHIWAL: A 17‑year‑old mentally challenged girl and her newborn baby died at the Sahiwal Teaching Hospital, seven months after she was allegedly subjected to gang rape by her maternal cousin and his two unidentified accomplices.

The victim, a resident of Chak 90/9‑L, fainted at home on April 19, 2026. Her sister called a midwife who told the family that the girl was pregnant. Later, she was referred to the hospital for a medical examination where doctors confirmed that she was 24 weeks pregnant. The victim told her sister that their maternal cousin along with two unidentified men had repeatedly raped her by confining her to a locked room for the last four months. On April 20, Ghala Mandi police registered a case on the complaint of her brother. Two suspects, including the prime suspect, were arrested.

On June 24, Ghala Mandi police amended the charges to Section 376(iii) (rape of minor or mentally challenged person) and later removed Section 375‑A (gang rape) on June 29, a move alleged to have favoured the suspects. Police also sent samples for the DNA test whose report confirmed the main suspect’s involvement.

Published in Dawn, October 11th, 2026