A tragic incident near Bhati Gate in Lahore has turned into a criminal investigation after a woman and her young daughter purportedly fell into an open manhole on Thursday.
While rescue teams have recovered the mother’s body, the search for the child continues amidst allegations of foul play.
The Recovery Operation Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Operations, Faisal Kamran, confirmed that the woman’s body was recovered from a sewerage line at Outfall Road, approximately three kilometers away from the initial fall site.
The intense flow of sewage reportedly swept the body deep into the system.
Rescue 1122 and WASA personnel are currently focusing their search at four different points along the drainage line to locate the missing girl. The manhole in question is reportedly over 10 feet deep with a width of three feet.
Suspicion of Murder The case took a significant turn when the deceased woman’s father approached the police, alleging that his daughter did not fall accidentally but was murdered by her in-laws.
Following these accusations, police took three individuals, including the woman’s husband, into custody for questioning.
While they were briefly released, authorities stated that the husband’s initial statements were “unsatisfactory.”
CCTV footage from the area and eyewitness accounts are being scrutinized to determine if the fall was accidental or criminal.
The Punjab government has taken strict notice of the incident:
The Project Director and Deputy Director of the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) have been suspended for “dereliction of duty.” Additionally, the Director of the Traffic Engineering & Planning Agency (TEPA) has been removed from his post.
A high-level committee, headed by the Additional Chief Secretary, has been formed to probe the incident and submit a report within 24 hours.
Officials have warned that contractors found negligent in maintaining safety standards and covering manholes will face severe legal action.
Rescue teams have vowed to continue the operation until the child is found. Meanwhile, the police are awaiting the autopsy report of the mother to confirm the cause of death.
