Police have arrested Qari Sanaullah, the prime suspect in the alleged killing of an 11-year-old madrasa student who investigators say was severely beaten at a religious seminary in Kallar Syedan.
The victim, Muhammad Faizan Ali, son of Muhammad Sultan of Bhakkar district, had been studying at Darul Uloom Muhiyyul Islam Siddiqia for around three months. Police said his body showed multiple signs of severe physical assault.
According to the FIR, Faizan had been placed under the supervision of Sanaullah, his teacher at the madrasa. Sanaullah allegedly later contacted the family and told them the boy had fallen ill and had been admitted to DHQ Hospital in Rawalpindi.
When Faizan’s uncle arrived at the hospital, he was informed that the child had died. Hospital staff, however, reportedly told the family that Faizan had already been dead when he was brought to the facility.
The family subsequently transported the body to Bhakkar for burial. While preparing it for burial, relatives noticed injuries and marks of physical violence on several parts of the child’s body and alerted authorities.
The FIR alleges that Sanaullah later acknowledged during a telephone conversation with the family that he had beaten Faizan for failing to memorise his lesson, after which the boy’s condition deteriorated.
Investigators also allege that efforts were made to conceal the circumstances of the death, including washing the child’s body. Police initially arrested two suspects and registered a case against several individuals, while Sanaullah allegedly fled.
Following his disappearance, Rawalpindi CPO Hassan Mushtaq Sukhera formed special teams to locate him. Police confirmed on Monday that Sanaullah had now been arrested.
The FIR also names madrasa officials Hamza Tayyab, Asim Sharif, Imran and Ghulam Mujtaba, among others. The complainant alleges that they facilitated attempts to protect the principal suspect and failed to secure timely medical assistance for the child as his condition worsened.
According to the complaint, Faizan was moved between madrasa officials and locations after his condition became serious before eventually being taken to hospital.
Police said investigators would question the suspects and collect further evidence before submitting a challan to the court.
SP Saddar said the investigation would be conducted on merit and that responsibility would be determined on the basis of the evidence gathered in the case.