ISLAMABAD: A man allegedly killed his tenant for refusing to pay increased rent until a water boring mechanism was activated in the house.

The police’s homicide unit have arrested the suspect, who has been remanded in police custody.

The complainant, Ayesha Yasmeen, told the police that she and her husband Mohammad Kaleem had rented a house in I-10/1.

She said their landlord visited the house and informed Kaleem that he would be increasing the rent, to which Kaleem said he would pay the high rent if the landlord arranged a water boring mechanism at his own expense. The landlord then ordered them to vacate the house immediately.

In a written application, she said the landlord then began throwing items, and when Kaleem tried to stop him, he pushed him. He fell over and died.

The police have registered a case under Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) section 302 and arrested the landlord.

A police official, who was not authorised to speak on record, confirmed that the incident fell in the category of murder, which is why it was registered under PPC section 302.

On June 13, residents of I-10 held a protest against the shortage of water, blocking service road south of the sector for hours. They alleged that water from Poona Faqiran, which was meant for the sector, was being stolen in Sohan, Margalla Town and by farmhouses in Chak Shahzad.

They also alleged that direct lines from the 36-inch mainline go to Sohan and Parade Ground, because of which I-10, which is at the end of the supply line, does not receive water.

Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2020