LAHORE, Aug 16: Islampura police registered on Thursday a murder case against five people, including the owner of a daily, after a woman journalist committed suicide on Wednesday by jumping from a multi-storey hostel building after she failed to get four-months salary.

Complainant Afzaal said his daughter Seemab had been employed in daily Anti-Crime some four months ago for Rs13,000 per month salary.

He said on the day of the incident owner Hayat Ahmad was present at the hostel to settle the salary dispute with Seemab. After an exchange of words, the suspect hurled life threats and tried to strangulate her. Seemab ran after getting her freed from the suspect who chased her. She reached the building’s roof from where Hayat pushed her down. The girl died instantly.

Police also nominated Kazim, Atif, Serwer and Shani Butt in the FIR.

DIG (Investigation) Chaudhry Shafique Ahmad said police conducted raids for the arrest of the owner and other suspects, but they escaped after locking their offices and residences. He said police raids were on to arrest the suspects.

Police handed over the body to the family after an autopsy and the burial was performed at the victim’s house in her native village in Sheikhupura district.