LAHORE: A girl found dead inside the washroom of a private tuition centre in the Ichhra area is believed to have died by suicide, according to the findings of the initial police investigation, although a murder case was registered against unidentified suspects on the complaint of her father.
Police investigators privy to the investigations told that the victim, identified as 12-yearold ‘N’, had a documented history of attempting suicide nearly two years ago but had been rescued following timely intervention by family members. Investigators said this background formed part of the ongoing inquiry and was being examined alongside forensic and medical evidence.
The incident occurred at around 4:15pm on Thursday at a two-storey residential house in Ichhra where two sisters run a tuition centre for girls.According to investigators, Naeema had arrived at the academy with her two sisters. During the session, she went downstairs to use the washroom.
When she did not return for nearly 15 minutes, one of her sisters went downstairs and repeatedly called out to her. Receiving no response, she attempted to open the washroom door but couldn’t.
She then called the elder sister, who forced the door open and found the girl lying unconscious on the floor.She was shifted to Lahore Services Hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead on arrival. Hospital staff informed the family to inform police after observing a ligaturemark around her neck. Investigators said the tuition centre was operating in a two-marla house and the washroom measured approximately two by three feet. At the time of the incident, besides the female teachers and students, the teachers’ mother, sister-in-law and their 60-yearold father, Abdul Rauf, were present inside the house.
The elderly man was taken into custody for questioning as he was the only male present inside the premises during the incident. Investigators said no evidence has so far emerged linking him or any other individual to the girl’s death. According to investigators, the house had a single entrance fitted with an automatic locking mechanism, requiring someone from inside to reopen the door once it closed. A shop located directly opposite the entrance provided investigators with an opportunity to verify movements around the premises. Police said available evidence, including CCTV did not indicate that any unknown person entered or left the house before or after the incident, apart from students.
The investigation revealed that a nylon rope already installed by the occupants of the house for drying clothes had one end tied near the washroom door lock and the other attached to the entrance gate. Investigators believe the victim used this rope in the incident. Medical examiners and forensic experts ruled out any indication of sexual assault, investigators said.
Published in The News, July 11th, 2026.
