Rabia rape and murder case solved after DNA match

The DNA sample of one of the four suspects arrested in connection with six-year-old Rabia Baqa Muhammad’s rape and murder has matched with the samples taken from the victim’s body, leading the police to declare that they have solved the case.

District West Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Omar Shahid Hamid told a news conference on Saturday that West Zone Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Amir Farooqi had formed a team to investigate Rabia’s rape and murder.

The team included SSP Hamid, West Investigation-I SSP Zeeshan Shafique Siddiqui, Orangi Town Division Superintendent of Police Abid Ali Baloch, the Manghopir sub divisional police officer, and the station investigation officer and the station house officer of the Manghopir police station.

SSP Hamid said suspect Fazal Ghulam Rasool admitted during interrogation that he and his sons had kidnapped Rabia on suspect Faqeer Muhammad’s instructions. He said Rasool told the police that they raped and strangled the girl and then dumped her body in the Khairabad forest near the Northern Bypass.

The officer said the police conducted raids and arrested two more suspects, Faqeer Muhammad and Mehar Ali, adding that some groups had tried to create a law and order situation in Manghopir to divert the attention of the police, but the law enforcers reacted professionally and continued their investigation.

The SSP said Faqeer Muhammad was the mastermind of the entire incident, adding that the suspect told the police that he was tasked by Rasool to murder the minor because of an enmity with her family.

He said the DNA samples of the suspects were sent to the Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences in Jamshoro for a forensic examination, adding that the sample of one of the suspects has matched with the samples taken from the victim’s body.

He lauded the efforts of the Manghopir and Orangi Town police officials for solving the rape and murder case in less than a fortnight. He said DIG Farooqi has announced cash prizes and appreciation certificates for the officials involved in the investigation.

Rabia had gone missing from her house in Orangi Town’s Baloch Goth on April 15. Her body bearing torture marks was recovered from the Khairabad forest in Manghopir the next day.

On the complaint of her grandfather Abdul Qadir, the Manghopir police registered a case against his neighbours Raheem Kareem Bakhsh, Faqeer Muhammad and Fazal Ghulam Rasool. Bakhsh and Rasool were immediately arrested.

Reports of the girl’s rape and murder had sparked a violent demonstration in Manghopir on April 17. The protesters had placed the minor’s body on Manghopir Road and blocked both of its tracks.