A teenage girl was allegedly gang-raped and stabbed to death in Delhi, with police apprehending four people, including three juveniles, in connection with the case. The girl’s decomposed body was found in an open field in the Swaroop Nagar area on September 13, days after the alleged crime.
Body found days after alleged crime
Police said the victim was known to the accused and had travelled with them in a tempo. Investigators allege that the group spent time together inside the vehicle before the girl was sexually assaulted and subsequently stabbed.
Her body was found near Jaipal Rana’s field on Kushak Road. By the time it was discovered, it had decomposed extensively, making it difficult for police to initially establish the victim’s gender. Police also reported that stray dogs had damaged parts of the body.
The victim had not been reported missing. According to police, her family said she would sometimes leave home and return after several days.
CCTV helped police trace the suspects
With no apparent eyewitness and the identities of those involved initially unknown, investigators examined footage from more than 50 CCTV cameras in the area and along adjoining routes.
A tempo seen near the suspected crime scene became a key lead. Although its registration number was not clearly visible because of darkness, police tracked its movements through multiple CCTV locations. A night-long search eventually led investigators to the vehicle and its driver.
Police subsequently apprehended four people. The adult accused was identified as Shivam alias Sudama alias Chuchu, while the three juveniles were reported to be aged 16 and 17. Two knives, clothing allegedly worn by the accused and the tempo were recovered.
Investigation continues
A case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the POCSO Act. Police said further investigation is underway to establish the sequence of events, determine the individual roles of those apprehended and verify forensic and technical evidence.