Lahore Manhole Tragedy: Victim’s Husband Alleges Police Torture During Interrogation

LAHORE (Web Desk) —  The husband of a woman who, along with her infant daughter, died after falling into an open manhole near Bhati Gate has accused senior police officers of torturing him and attempting to force a false confession.

Sadia and her 10-month-old daughter, Rida Fatima, lost their lives on Wednesday after the incident in the Walled City area. Speaking exclusively to private TV channel Geo News, Sadia’s husband, Ghulam Murtaza, alleged that Superintendent of Police Bilal and Station House Officer Zain subjected him to physical torture and repeatedly pressured him to admit to killing his wife.

“They kept insisting that I confess to the murder,” Murtaza claimed, adding that police officials accused him of lying despite his repeated statements that he witnessed his wife and daughter fall into the open manhole. He also said his cousin, Tanveer, was detained alongside him during questioning and that police confiscated his mobile phone.

Rejecting allegations of any domestic dispute, Murtaza said he and his wife had gone out for a walk and there had been no argument between them prior to the tragedy.

The allegations come a day after Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz ordered the dismissal and arrest of four officials linked to the ongoing construction project, including the project director, project manager and safety in-charge. Chairing an emergency meeting at Lahore airport following her return from Bhakkar, the chief minister held the contractor, supervisor, consultant, Lahore commissioner, deputy commissioner, assistant commissioner, LDA and WASA collectively responsible for the incident.

Maryam Nawaz also criticised attempts to create confusion around the case, saying that instead of supporting the bereaved family, the victim’s husband was treated as a suspect. She dismissed doubts over whether the woman had actually fallen into the manhole, noting that CCTV footage was available until 7:30pm and that staging such an incident within minutes was not possible.

Meanwhile, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari said the first report of the incident was received from Rescue 1122. Speaking to private TV channel, she stated that the victim’s father contacted police, after which Murtaza was taken to the police station for questioning.

Bukhari added that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was deeply grieved by the tragedy and was receiving regular updates on the situation, with a 48-hour inquiry ordered to fix responsibility for the incident.