A judicial magistrate on Thursday remanded the prime suspect in the alleged sexual assault and murder of a six-year-old boy in Karachi's Old City area to police custody for five days after investigators said he confessed to the crime. The child went missing from outside his home on Monday evening, and his decomposed body, stuffed in a sack, was found near his house the following night.
Suspect Produced in Court Under Tight Security
The Napier police produced the suspect, identified as Hamza, before the court under tight security with his face covered. The investigating officer sought a 14-day physical remand, saying more time was required to interrogate the suspect. However, the district judicial magistrate (South) granted a five-day physical remand and directed police to submit a progress report at the next hearing.
Medical Confirmation of Sexual Assault
Police Surgeon Dr Sumaiyya confirmed that the child had been sexually assaulted and had also sustained a skull fracture. A case was registered at the Napier police station on the complaint of the victim's father. Police initially lodged the first information report under Section 3 of the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2018, and Section 364-A (kidnapping or abducting a person under the age of 14) of the Pakistan Penal Code. However, the investigating officer said sections relating to murder and rape were later added to the FIR.
Suspect's Relationship with Victim
According to investigators, the suspect was the child's neighbour and was known to the family. Police said the boy trusted Hamza and would often ask him to buy him snacks. Investigators alleged that the suspect took advantage of a funeral in the neighbourhood on Monday, when many residents had gathered to attend the last rites of a resident, and lured the child to his flat.
Confession and Details of the Crime
During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to sexually assaulting the child and strangling him after the boy started crying. Investigators further claimed that he admitted to sexually assaulting the child's body after the murder. According to investigators, the suspect told police he killed the child because he feared the boy could identify him. They said he then stuffed the body into a sack, wrapped it in a blanket, and concealed it inside a wardrobe. Police and residents searched the suspect's flat three times after the child's disappearance but failed to locate the body, investigators said.
Suspect's Attempt to Divert Attention
According to police, the suspect later became alarmed as suspicion among residents grew and joined the search for the missing boy to divert attention from himself. CCTV footage showed the child had not left the neighbourhood, prompting investigators to focus on residents of the street. Police said that the suspect later threw the body from the window of his flat in an attempt to dispose of it, where it was spotted by local residents. Officers said the suspect was alone in the flat when they arrived.
Claims of Accomplices Under Scrutiny
During interrogation, the suspect claimed that other individuals were involved in the crime. However, investigators said they believed he was making false claims to mislead the investigation. Police are also examining his previous criminal record and investigating whether he may have been involved in similar offences against other children.
