14-Year-Old boy buried alive in Sargodha after reporting rape attempt, Police arrest three suspects

A 14-year-old boy was allegedly buried alive in a village on the outskirts of Mari Lak in Punjab's Sargodha district after he reported an attempted rape, police said on Saturday, adding that a case has been registered and three suspects have been arrested.

A 14-year-old boy was allegedly buried alive in a village on the outskirts of Mari Lak in Punjab’s Sargodha district after he reported an attempted rape, police said on Saturday, adding that a case has been registered and three suspects have been arrested. The injured boy was rescued and taken to the District Headquarters Hospital, where doctors confirmed his condition was out of danger.

According to police, the teenager was allegedly subjected to a rape attempt approximately 20 days ago. However, the family did not approach police at the time, resulting in no action being taken. Police initially arrested two suspects, while the main suspect was later taken into custody.

In his statement to police, the boy recounted the horrific ordeal. “He (the primary suspect) decided to teach me a lesson. On Muharram 9, I was picked up from outside my house in the afternoon and severely beaten by him along with two accomplices,” the boy said. “He later took me to a deserted area where bushes were growing and a hole had already been dug by a wild animal. I was thrown into it and covered with soil,” he added.

The incident came to light when the boy’s mother reported him missing after he left home on June 25 at around 4:30pm to attend a gathering but did not return. The following day, while still searching for the boy, the family heard a child crying and found him buried in the ground with only his leg visible. Police and Rescue 1122 teams were called, and personnel retrieved the child, taking him to DHQ Hospital.

A first information report was registered on Friday at Jhal Chakian Police Station on the complaint of the boy’s mother under Sections 34 (common intent), 324 (attempted murder), and 376(3) (rape of minor), identifying three suspects. The FIR stated that when the child regained consciousness, he revealed that approximately 20 days earlier, he had told the elder brother of the main suspect that his sibling had subjected him to indecent assault. On June 25, while on his way to a gathering, the main suspect intercepted him and questioned him about disclosing the incident.

The FIR further stated that the other two suspects arrived at the scene, after which all three abused and assaulted him, took him to nearby fields, subjected him to violence, and buried him in the ground. Terming the incident a grave injustice, the complainant requested legal action against the suspects, seeking justice and their punishment. Sargodha District Police Officer Muhammad Suhaib Ashraf confirmed the incident and said investigations are ongoing.