Family of boy killed in lioness attack at Lahore farmhouse forgives suspects

The family of a teenage boy, who was killed in a pet lioness attack at a farmhouse in Lahore’s Kahna area, has forgiven two suspects arrested in connection with the case, after which a court granted them bail.

Judicial Magistrate Qaiser Riaz heard the case and approved the bail plea of the suspects -- farmhouse owner Fayyaz and TikToker Nauman against surety bonds of Rs50,000 each.

TikToker Nauman came to the farmhouse to film a TikTok video when the lioness allegedly went out of control and attacked Talha, an employee at the farmhouse.  Talha sustained critical injuries and was taken to a private hospital, where he later died during treatment.

According to reports, police produced the suspects before the court and sought seven-day physical remand of the two suspects for interrogation.

During the hearing, the deceased’s legal heirs appeared before the court and recorded their statement, saying that they have forgiven the suspects for the sake of Almighty Allah. They also submitted affidavits in support of their statements.

The state counsel opposed the compromise, arguing that the suspects committed a serious offence and should be remanded to police custody for further investigation.

However, the court rejected the police request for physical remand and approved bail for both suspects against surety bonds of Rs50,000 each.