Rana Sana says Samia died of drug overdose as probe continues into death

LAHORE: Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah on Thursday claimed overdose of drugs caused death of Samia Chaudhry, a PML-N worker who was found dead in federal lodges last week in mysterious circumstances.

“She was not murdered, overdose of drugs resulted in her death,” he said, adding that the room in which the woman was staying was booked by  an employee of the Chamba House, another name of the federal lodges. He said name of an MNA also appeared in connection with the booking of the room, a reference to a ruling party lawmaker Chaudhry Ashraf.

On the other hand, investigators say door of Samia’s room was found open on the night of her death and it was not bolted from inside. They said the body was found wrapped in a blanked with white foam coming out from its mouth.

The police said a “suspicious powder” found from the handbag of the woman has been sent to Forensic Lab for examination.

The police have also found evidence of presence of three persons in the room where they ate food that was ordered from a private company.

Though the police hitherto  haven’t resolved the mystery, investigators are of the view that there was no evidence found that could have suggested whether the woman committed suicide or was murdered.

Moreover, Punjab police have claimed to make headway in the murder case of Qismat Baig, a local stage actor who was shot dead in brad day light in the provincial metropolis last week.

Lahore has witnessed a surge in street crimes in which several people lost their lives this month and not a single case has been resolved so far. In a bizarre reaction to criticism over government's failure to curb street crimes, a ruling party leader said such incidents took place even in New York and Washington and Lahore was no exception.