LAHORE MIRROR — Police have arrested a man accused of murdering his cousin, Zainul Abideen, who had reportedly gone missing three days earlier in the Steel Town area, and dumping his body in a sack among rubbish, investigative sources said.
According to police sources, the Saudi-returned victim had recently returned from Saudi Arabia, where he worked as a tailor. Initial investigations suggest that a dispute involving a woman and an attempt to stop a video recording triggered a confrontation between the cousins, during which Faisal allegedly attacked Zainul Abideen, causing his death.
Investigators said Faisal and an accomplice allegedly stuffed the body into a sack and dumped it in garbage. They also allegedly cut off one of the victim’s hands and left it at his home to make the incident appear to be a kidnapping for ransom and put pressure on his family. The recovered hand has been sent for DNA testing to establish the victim’s identity.
The victim’s father, Muhammad Khan, said his son left home on a motorcycle on October 14 but failed to return. After searching for him, the family approached police and registered a case.
He said the alleged kidnappers demanded Rs700,000 for his son’s release. The family took the ransom money to the agreed location, but no one turned up. The alleged kidnappers later left the victim’s slippers and mobile phone at the family home and threatened to kill him.
Police reportedly traced the victim’s body following Faisal’s arrest. Raids are under way to arrest his alleged accomplice, while investigators are also searching for the woman believed to have been present during the incident.
Police said the kidnapping case was registered at Steel Town Police Station and that investigations were continuing.
