Mother remanded in triple child murder case

Digital evidence, CCTV footage, financial links emerge during investigation

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LAHORE:

A local court on Friday remanded a woman into police custody in connection with the killing of her three young children in the Ichra area, as investigators reported new leads involving digital communication, financial transactions and CCTV footage.

Police said the suspect, identified as Rida, is under investigation for the deaths of her children, five-year-old Momina Batool, four-year-old Momin Raza and 18-month-old Amna Habiba, who were found dead inside their home earlier this week.

According to investigators, preliminary analysis of mobile phone data suggests the accused had been in contact with a man from Jhang, identified as Shehryar, through WhatsApp messages and phone calls.

Officials further claimed that certain financial transactions between the two had also been traced. However, police emphasised that these findings remain part of an ongoing inquiry and have yet to be verified through judicial proceedings.

Sources within the investigation team said initial evidence indicates the suspect may have intended to marry the man, while the children were allegedly viewed as an obstacle. Authorities cautioned that no final conclusion has been reached regarding motive, adding that forensic and digital evidence is still being examined.

Police confirmed that the husband of the accused, Ramzan, was released after questioning as no direct evidence linking him to the crime was found. Investigators said the man identified as Shehryar would also be questioned as part of the probe.

In a key development, CCTV footage obtained from the area reportedly shows the accused leaving the residence shortly after the suspected time of the incident.

Investigators believe the killings occurred before 10am on the day of the incident.

The footage shows the woman stepping outside, surveying the surroundings and later leaving the vicinity.

Officials also indicated that preliminary forensic findings suggest possible attempts to alter or manage the crime scene after the incident.

The bodies of the three siblings were discovered after their parents had briefly stepped out to a nearby pharmacy, according to police.

Following initial interrogation, a judicial magistrate granted physical remand of the suspect, allowing police to conduct further questioning and recover additional evidence if required.

Investigators are also examining the broader circumstances surrounding the case, including the family's domestic environment, financial situation and communication records of individuals linked to the household.

The incident has once again drawn attention to a troubling pattern of child killings involving biological parents in parts of Punjab.

In recent years, several cases have surfaced in which children were allegedly killed amid domestic disputes, financial stress, mental health issues or relationship conflicts.

Earlier this year, a six-year-old girl was allegedly tortured and killed by her stepmother in Lahore's Green Town area, with investigators later implicating the child's father as well.

In another case in February, police in Chung solved the murder of a five-year-old boy, with the father confessing to the crime and attempting to mislead investigators.

Authorities and child protection experts have repeatedly stressed the need for early intervention in households showing signs of distress, along with improved access to mental health support and social services.

Further developments are expected as forensic reports and witness statements are compiled in the coming days.