A 17-year-old mentally challenged girl and her newborn baby have died at Sahiwal Teaching Hospital, seven months after she was allegedly gang-raped by her maternal cousin and two unidentified men.
The girl, who lived in Chak 90/9-L, fainted at home on April 19, 2026, prompting her sister to call a midwife. The midwife suspected that she was pregnant and advised the family to seek medical attention.
Doctors later examined the girl at a hospital and confirmed that she was 24 weeks pregnant. She then told her sister that their maternal cousin and two unidentified men had repeatedly raped her over four months while keeping her confined in a locked room.
Ghalla Mandi police registered a case on April 20 following a complaint filed by the girl’s brother. Police arrested two suspects, including the main accused.
On June 24, police added Section 376(iii), which deals with the rape of a minor or a person with a mental disability, to the case. However, they removed Section 375-A, which covers gang rape, on June 29. The change in charges raised allegations of favouring the suspects.
Police also sent samples for DNA testing. The report confirmed the main suspect’s involvement in the case.
