Minor UP girl’s blind murder case cracked, suspect lands in police net

Within a swift 12-hour span, the police in Khanna solved the murder case of a 16-year-old girl whose naked body was found near railway tracks in Alaud village. The victim, a resident of Iqbal Nagar in Mandi Gobindgarh, had been missing since the evening of March 11. The authorities apprehended Sanjeet Kumar (26), a resident of Mandi Gobindgarh, in the case.

The body of the girl was found on March 13.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Amritpal Singh Bhatti said the body was found following alerts from village residents Dalvir Singh and sarpanch Gurmail Singh.

Initially, a case was registered under Sections 103 (1) and 3 (5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Sadar Khanna police station.

The victim’s identity was confirmed after the police circulated her image, mentioning her as a resident of Mandi Gobindgarh and a native of Uttar Pradesh, reported missing by her family.

Investigation revealed a brief 10-day relationship between the victim and Sanjeet, a mason. Family members suspected abduction on the pretext of marriage and murder by the suspect.

The SHO, Sadar Khanna, SI Sukhwinderpal Singh, reported Sanjeet’s arrest and confession. He admitted to strangling the girl and inflicting head injuries on her near the railway lines on the night of March 11. Later, Sections 137 and 96 of the BNS were added to the FIR.

The police clarified that sexual assault remains unconfirmed.

Meanwhile, Khanna DSP Amritpal Singh Bhatti confirmed the arrest of the suspect.