Victims tortured to death before being thrown into a manhole; police await lab reports as investigation continues
KARACHI:
The four bodies found in a manhole near the Mai Kolachi Road crossing on Friday evening have been identified as those of a woman, her daughter and two sons.
The family, originally from Kharadar, went missing on December 30. The bodies, initially unidentified, were found in a dry manhole and later identified by the woman’s brother.
Police registered a murder case under Section 302/34 of the Pakistan Penal Code against unknown suspects, with the state as the complainant. According to Acting District SSP Keamari Mahzooz Ali, the deceased include Aneela, 38, her daughter Kishwar Zahra, 13, and sons, Hussain Ali, 15, and Konain Ali, 10.
Preliminary investigations suggest that Aneela was previously married to Amir Mukhtar Ali, who divorced. Police are also questioning a man named Mansoor, who is believed to have a connection with the deceased.
This macabre discovery gave rise to immediate autopsies. Police surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed confirmed that samples of the bodies had been sent to the laboratory to determine the exact cause of death, including testing for intoxicants and possible sexual assault.
Examinations revealed serious injuries; Hussain, 15, suffered multiple injuries to his head, face and neck; 10-year-old Konain’s throat was slit; Kishwar suffered similar head and facial trauma; while Aneela had serious injuries to her head and face.
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Aneela’s brother Mustafa said she was their only sister. He learned of the deaths after seeing images of the bodies circulating on social media. Mustafa said Aneela was divorced two and a half years ago, but the children lived with her.
He added that the family owns rental properties from which they gave rent to Aneela, while the children attended school and religious classes.
He said he went to his sister’s home on December 30 and found it locked; later that night he returned and the house was still locked. The last time he spoke to Aneela on the phone was almost a week ago, and his phone had been off since December 30.
He stressed that the family had no known enemies and urged authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to bring the killers to justice.
SHO Docks Nand Lal said the bodies were wrapped in a blanket with large stones placed on them, suggesting an attempt to cover up the crime. Announcements were made in all the mosques located within the Docks police perimeter, but no one came forward. The victims could come from another region. Police suspect they were either kidnapped and killed elsewhere or murdered at their residence before being thrown into the manhole.
The bodies found were first taken to the civil hospital for formalities and then transferred to Edhi mortuary in Sohrab Goth. Police are reviewing surveillance footage from the woman’s residence and are pursuing several leads to reach the suspects.
Following the incident, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah ordered authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and submit a report without delay. CM Shah assured that his government would ensure justice for the families of the victims and stressed that protection of lives and property of citizens remains the primary responsibility of the government.
