LAHORE – A 10-year-old girl was found dead under mysterious circumstances inside the washroom of a home-based tuition center in the Ittehad Colony area of Ichhra, Lahore, the local police said on Friday.

The police said that the victim, identified as Naima, had gone to the tuition center along with her two sisters. During the session, Naima excused herself to use the washroom.

When she failed to return after a considerable amount of time, her elder sister went to check on her and discovered Naima lying unresponsive. Her sister’s cries for help alerted the nearby people, who rushed the child to a nearby hospital. However, the doctors pronounced her dead upon arrival.

Investigation and forensic findings

The local police revealed that the tuition center is operated out of a private residence by two sisters, where 15 to 20 neighborhood girls regularly attend classes. Local residents noted that their children had been studying at the center for a long time without any prior incidents.

Following a post-mortem examination, the child’s body was handed over to her grieving family.

The initial autopsy report indicated a clear ligature mark around the girl’s neck, concluding that death was caused by hanging/strangulation. The report noted no other signs of physical violence or struggle on her body.

Police further disclosed that the washroom door was unlocked at the time of the incident. Forensic teams have collected fingerprints and other evidence from the scene for laboratory analysis. The owner of the property has been taken into custody for questioning as the investigation continues to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the death.

Family appeals for justice

The victim’s father, Adnan, who works as a rickshaw driver, expressed profound shock and grief over the tragedy. “I do not know how my daughter died,” he said. “May Allah grant us justice.”