Panchkula: Body of minor girl found in forest area, father missing
Tribune News Service
Panchkula, July 18
The body of a minor girl was found in the forest area at the Bandar Ghati stretch near the Sector 23 dumping ground around 9 am today.
The victim, who is believed to be 10-12 years old, was a resident of Power Colony, Sector 19. The girl had left her home with her father last afternoon, but both of them did not return, the police said.
The father of the girl had also gone “missing”. The police were now trying to trace him. ASI Harender Singh, who is an investigating officer in the case, said they had gone to the victim’s house, but her father wasn’t present there.
“The victim’s mother told the police her daughter had left the house with her husband last afternoon, but they didn’t come back,” he said.
Deputy Commisioner of Police Mohit Handa said: “We have been able to identify the prime suspect on the basis of on-ground evidence and technical investigation. We will round him up soon.”
He said the identity of the suspect was not being revealed as it might alert him. “On the basis of the prima facie evidence, it does not appear to be a case of sexual assault. However, we will wait for medical examination for confirmation,” the DCP said, adding that they were probing the case from all angles.
A police patrolling party spotted the body stuck in bushes down the hills while on their way towards the Ramgarh main road.
Senior police officials, including DCP Mohit Handa, reached the spot. A forensic team of the local police, too, visited the spot.
According to police officials, there were blood stains around victim’s nose and mouth and her skin appeared blue and yellow in colour. However, there were no visible fatal injuries on the victim’s body.
“I, along with a colleague, was patrolling in the area when we spotted the body. I passed the information to the Chandimandir police station. It seemed to be case of murder and that the killers wanted to destroy evidence,’’ said ASI Bharmanand in the FIR.
A case under section 302 (murder) and section 201 (destruction of evidence) has been registered against unknown persons at the Chandimandir police station.
