Police arrest main accused in Zainab killing case after DNA matches

LAHORE - In a major breakthrough, police on Tuesday claimed to have arrested main accused in Zainab rape-killing case from Pakpattan after his DNA matched samples taken from the crime scene.

The accused has been identified as Imran Ali and is said to be a relative of the seven-year-old girl. He lived near the house of the innocent girl in Kasur on Kot Road, from where she was abducted.

Zainab was kidnapped on January 4 when she was on her way to Holy Quran class. Her body was discovered five days later from a garbage pile. The post-mortem report revealed that the minor girl had been raped and murdered.

Sources also revealed to Daily Pakistan that a jacket of Zianab’s killer that can be seen in the CCTV footage was recovered from the accused.

https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/headline/cm-shehbaz-confirms-arrest-of-zainabs-killer-victims-father-demands-public-execution/

Police sources said that the accused was taken into custody some days ago but was released after taking DNA sample, adding that he has been arrested again after his DNA matched evidence found in the case during the medical examination.

The accused, according to police, has confessed to the heinous crime and looks very similar to the person who can be seen in a CCTV footage.

Media reports suggest Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) also confirmed that Imran's DNA matched the deceased girl. Around DNA test of over 600 people were conducted during the investigations.

Punjab government spokesperson Malik Ahmad confirmed the arrest of Imran Ali. The spokesperson said that he would be able to confirm whether the suspect is involved in the brutal incident after a detailed forensic report. The forensic agency will give the report by 7 pm, he said.



 

Earlier, police believed the suspect is a serial killer as the same DNA found in previous assault cases in which nine girls, ages five to 10 years, were raped and killed seven of them.

As the Kasur incident ramped up pressure on the government, a high-profile joint investigation team (JIT), headed by Multan Regional Police Officer DIG Muhammad Idrees, was formed to solve the case.

https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/govt-replaces-jit-head-in-zainab-case-after-father-refuses-investigation-under-qadiani/

The incident also sparked violent protest in Kasur and drew countrywide criticism, raising questions on the performance of law enforcers. During the protest, two men were killed in police firing that added fuel to the fire.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar also took suo moto notice of the Kasur rape case and summoned all investigators on next hearing.

Previous Claims

Earlier in January, the police also claimed to have arrested the main suspect, identified as Umar Farooq,  from Bhatta Chowk, an area of Lahore. But, the police on Monday have to release Farooq after the DNA test by PFSA cleared him.

Death Sentence Demanded

On Monday, Senate approved a resolution, seeking the death sentence for culprits involved in child rape and murder cases. The resolution got full support of the Pakistan Peoples Party, which during its tenure, halted the execution due to pressure from the European Union.