Mandi Bahauddin woman murders 8-year-old daughter to remarry: police

In a shocking incident from the Muradwal area of Mandi Bahauddin, police arrested a woman accused of murdering her eight-year-old daughter in an attempt to facilitate her second marriage. Authorities said that the mother initially staged the child’s disappearance to mislead investigators.

According to the police, the child had gone missing two days prior. Her body was discovered in a sugarcane field on Sunday, triggering public outrage in the area. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had taken notice of the incident and sought an immediate report from concerned officials.

The victim, identified as Kiran Shahzadi, daughter of Muhammad Iftikhar, had left her home around 3 pm on Eid day with 50 rupees to buy something from a nearby shop.

When she didn’t return, the family began a frantic search. Her mother, Almas, reported her missing to the Malikwal police station, prompting the registration of a missing person report. However, locals allege that police failed to initiate an active search.

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The following afternoon, Kiran’s lifeless body was recovered from a sugarcane field. Police arrived at the scene and transported her remains to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, Malikwal, before shifting the body to District Headquarters Hospital, Mandi Bahauddin, for autopsy.

An FIR No 535/25 was registered under Section 363 of the Pakistan Penal Code on the mother's complaint. Initial evidence and witness accounts suggested the possibility of abduction, sexual assault, and murder.

However, during interrogation, the child’s mother reportedly confessed to committing the crime. Police said she killed her daughter to remove obstacles in the way of her remarriage.

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Authorities said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges will be added based on forensic and post-mortem findings. 

The gruesome murder stirred intense grief and anger in the local community.