Police investigating the death of a four-year-old boy in Lucknow’s Chowk area have recovered several household objects suspected to have been used during repeated assaults on the child.
The items were recovered from the house of the accused — the child’s father Bhishm Kharbanda and stepmother Ragini — located in Lajpat Nagar.
Household items recovered during investigation
According to police officials, the items seized include a broom, floor wiper, belt, rope, scale and a vegetable-cutting knife.
Investigators believe these objects may have been used to repeatedly assault the child.
Chowk Station House Officer Nagesh Upadhyay said the items have been taken into custody and will be examined as part of the ongoing investigation.
Post-mortem reveals multiple injuries
The case took a serious turn after the post-mortem examination reportedly found 18 injury marks and several fractures on the child’s body.
Police said the pattern of injuries suggested the possibility of sustained physical abuse.
The boy died on Thursday under suspicious circumstances.
Parents arrested after complaint
Based on a complaint filed by the child’s maternal grandmother, police registered a murder case against the father and stepmother.
Both were taken into custody for questioning and later arrested after the post-mortem findings indicated severe injuries.
Relatives said the child had been living with his maternal family in Unnao after the death of his mother in April 2022. He was handed over to his father in August 2025 following a court order.
Local residents protest
The incident sparked anger among residents of the Chowk neighbourhood.
On Saturday, when police brought the accused to the house to reconstruct the sequence of events, several residents gathered outside and raised slogans against them.
Police personnel controlled the situation and escorted the accused away from the area.
Officials said questioning of the accused is continuing as investigators try to determine the exact circumstances leading to the child’s death.