Gujranwala police have arrested a man for the murder of his nine-year-old grandson, on suspicion that he planned the crime to frame his creditors over a debt of Rs1.2 million.
The victim, identified as Shoaib, was found with abdominal injuries behind a school late at night. Local boys rushed to the spot after hearing screams, discovering the unconscious child, and informed his family.
Shoaib was initially transported to a local hospital on a motorcycle before Rescue 1122 shifted him to another medical facility, where he died from his injuries.
A murder case was registered against unidentified attackers. The victim’s grandfather, Abdul Rehman, acted as the complainant and attempted to mislead investigators by suggesting that the killing was linked to sexual assault or alternative motives.
Following the incident, City Police Officer (CPO) Sardar Ghiyas Gul Khan assigned Saddar Superintendent of Police (SP) Muhammad Khan and other officials to supervise the investigation.
Police teams questioned village residents and analyzed Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) footage to trace the suspect. The investigation led to Rehman’s arrest eight hours after the murder.
According to the CPO, Abdul Rehman took the child with him after purchasing sweets from a shop. He took Shoaib to a nearby outhouse where he worked, and subsequently led him behind a school after ensuring the area was clear.
Investigators stated that the suspect first struck the child on the head with a stick. When the boy screamed, Abdul Rehman muffled his mouth and stabbed him in the abdomen.
The police confirmed that the suspect had borrowed Rs1.2 million in advance from two landlords and had fallen into debt.
