Sarim rape and murder case: What we know so far?

Death after the 'rape' of a seven-year-old boy Sarim has raised serious questions on child protection in Pakitan especially in Karachi.

Here is the timeline of Sarim's rape and murder case

On January 7: Sarim, a young boy, was reported missing from North Karachi.

He had gone with his brother to study at a madrassa located in the apartment mosque but did not return home. His elder brother came back alone, raising alarms.

The father of the child received some suspicious calls and messages from unknown numbers, with some demanding the online transfer of money and one caller asking for the child’s picture. He sent a picture to that number which went switched off.

On January 18: The body of seven-year-old Sarim, who went missing 11 days ago, was discovered in an underground water tank near his home in North Karachi.

According to the police, it seems that Sarim accidentally fell into the tank, and it is also possible that someone threw him into it.

“The family identified his body by his clothing; however, the police took the body into custody to conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death,” stated a police spokesperson.

On January 19:  The CIA Specialized Unit raided Bait-ul-Anam Apartments in North Karachi and ‘detained’ two suspects in Sarim case.

According to investigative sources, the Special Investigation Unit (CIA) conducted the raid as part of Sarim’s abduction case. During the operation, two suspects were taken into custody.

On January 20: According to sources, the initial report confirmed rape of Sarim. Injuries were observed on various parts of the child’s body. 

SSP A.V.C. Anil Haider has confirmed the rape of Sarim'. The minor boy's neck bone was found broken, the neck was crushed, the initial report said.

Sarim was murdered five days ago and the body was dumped, the SSP said. The police took Uzair Azhar into custody on the basis of suspicion, while the DNA is also being done, Anil said.