Fatal Accident in Lahore: Another Suspect Arrested in the Case of Family’s Death

Police – Accident – Death – Obituary News : LAHORE: Another young suspect has been apprehended by the investigation police in connection with the tragic accident that claimed the lives of six family members in Defence Housing Authority (DHA) last week.

According to the police, the newly arrested suspect, identified as Ibrahim, is believed to be a friend of the prime suspect Afnan Shafqat. It is alleged that Afnan had collided with the family’s car while they were returning home after visiting a close relative in Phase-II.

In a significant development, the police have decided to conduct an ossification test on Afnan Shafqat to ascertain his age. This decision comes after terrorism and murder charges were added to the already filed First Information Report (FIR) against him. Lahore Investigation DIG Imran Kishwar stated that conflicting reports had emerged regarding the suspect’s age, with initial information suggesting he was 17 years old.

The DIG further elaborated that permission from the relevant magistrate would be sought to carry out the ossification test on Afnan Shafqat. This test determines age by examining the degree of bone fusion through X-rays. Ossification is the process of bone formation in an individual, occurring through joint fusion from birth until the age of 25.

Addressing concerns about road safety, the DIG stated that activities such as racing, one-wheeling, and performing stunts on cars and motorbikes have come to a halt in Phase V and Phase VII since the accident occurred. The tragic incident claimed the lives of Rukhsana Bibi (45), her son Husnain (25), daughter-in-law Ayesha (23), son-in-law Sajjad (30), four-month-old grandson Huzaifa, and granddaughter Anaya (4).

Initially, only the prime suspect Afnan was named in the FIR, based on a complaint filed by the head of the victim’s family, Rafaqat Ali. However, the police later added terrorism and murder charges to the case and expanded the scope of their investigation after the complainant alleged that two more suspects were present in the car during the incident.

According to a police official, DSP Raja Fakhar was assigned to investigate the case when Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi took notice of the incident. The Chief Minister instructed the police to apprehend all suspects present in the car. The official also revealed that Ibrahim, the newly arrested suspect, was seated in the front alongside the driver (Afnan) at the time of the accident. Ibrahim is now in police custody, and the authorities are conducting raids to apprehend another suspect.

Responding to a query, the official disclosed that Afnan’s father has gone into hiding due to the fear of arrest, even though he is not connected to the case.

The investigation into this tragic accident continues, and further updates will be provided as the case progresses.

Published in Dawn, November 21st, 2023.