New Delhi, Sept. 18 -- A 16-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped and murdered in Delhi by four youths, including three minors, with the crime coming to light after her decomposed body was found in a field in the Swaroop Nagar area. All four accused are now in custody, according to police.
Police received information on Sunday morning about a body lying near Kushak Road. The girl's body had decomposed significantly, with her face and abdomen disfigured and her right hand missing. Investigators said the body appeared to have been attacked by animals after it was dumped in the field.
The girl could not initially be identified. Police subsequently contacted local residents and traced her identity. Her family's statement and post-mortem findings led to the registration of a case involving rape, murder and destruction of evidence. Investigators also found multiple stab wounds on the victim. The investigation then focused on CCTV footage from the area. More than 50 cameras were examined, leading investigators to identify a tempo that had been moving near the location around the suspected time of the crime. Local enquiries helped police trace the vehicle and establish that it was frequently used by the 17-year-old brother of the tempo driver.
CCTV footage reportedly showed four young men inside the vehicle. Police later identified them as 19-year-old Shivam Ganesh and three minors aged 17 and 16. An overnight search operation led to their apprehension in Swaroop Nagar. Police also recovered two knives and clothing allegedly linked to the crime.
According to investigators, the victim had gone to meet the 17-year-old accused, whom she appeared to know. Police allege that he sexually assaulted her before calling three of his friends, who allegedly joined in the assault. Investigators are still examining the precise location where the sexual assault occurred. Police allege that after the assault, the group took the girl to a field and stabbed her multiple times before attempting to conceal her body with leaves and mud. The accused allegedly then left the area in the tempo. The investigation is continuing to establish the exact sequence of events and the individual role of each suspect. Police said the girl had left school and had moved to Swaroop Nagar several years ago. She was reportedly looking for work to help support her parents and was living separately from them. No missing-person report had been filed because her family was unaware that she had left home and had been missing for two days.
Authorities said forensic and technical evidence is being examined, while the recovered material has been preserved for further analysis. Investigators are also looking into whether anyone else was involved in the crime.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.