New Delhi: Shocking details have emerged in the Haryana child murder case, where a woman identified as Poonam has been arrested for allegedly killing four children over the past four years, including her own son. Initial police investigations suggest she may have been driven by a disturbing ‘beauty complex’, with officers claiming she targeted young girls she perceived as “more beautiful”.

The revelation has left the residents of Panipat and the extended families involved devastated, as the scale of the crimes and the motive behind them continue to come to light.

A disturbing pattern going back to 2021

According to police sources, the first known attempt by Poonam dates back to 2021, when she allegedly tried to kill her two-year-old niece, Vidhi. At the time, she reportedly poured a large kettle of boiling tea on the child’s face. Vidhi survived the horrific assault, and her father, still shaken, admitted he tried to believe it was an accident.

However, the child would not survive the second attempt. On Monday, Poonam allegedly drowned the six-year-old girl—dressed in her best clothes for a family celebration—in a tub of water. She then left the body to be discovered by the child’s grandmother. Vidhi became the fourth and final victim before Poonam’s arrest this week.

Four murders in four years

Police say Poonam’s alleged killing spree began with the murder of nine-year-old Ishika, her sister-in-law’s daughter, in 2023. The second victim was her own son, four-year-old Shubham, who died the same year. Investigators believe she killed her son to deflect suspicion after the first murder and make the deaths seem like a tragic pattern of misfortune.

The third victim was eight-year-old Jia, whom police believe was targeted because she was “prettier”. Finally came the killing of Vidhi, this time carried out during a family wedding function. Disturbing details from her confession reveal that she reportedly coaxed the child into standing inside a tub of water before forcing her head down until she stopped struggling.

While much of the information about the earlier murders has not yet been made public, police officials confirmed that Poonam confessed to all four killings after her arrest.

Family devastated, demands harshest punishment

NDTV spoke to Sandeep, Vidhi’s father, who described the unbearable shock and grief the family is experiencing. He said he had expressed doubts about Poonam in the past, but other family members dismissed his concerns.

“I had my doubts about her… but my family always objected to my opinions,” he said, his voice breaking. “Poonam had a beauty complex and, because she was jealous, she killed my daughter. She should be given the death penalty. We don’t know how many kids would have died if she had not been caught.”

Sandeep said he now worries for his surviving child’s safety. “If she gets the chance, she might attack my son as well,” he said, demanding that authorities ensure she never walks free.

Police probing psychological angle

Senior officials investigating the case said that jealousy and insecurity may have played a major role in the killings. The repeated targeting of young girls, the supposed motive of beauty, and the calculated method of gaining their trust have prompted authorities to seek psychological evaluation.

Police are also reviewing past family incidents, unexplained injuries, and other suspicious events to establish whether the death toll may be even higher.

A community in shock as case unfolds

Residents of Panipat and surrounding areas have expressed shock at the brutality and the fact that four murders took place in a close-knit family before the pattern was uncovered. The case has reignited debates around mental health awareness, domestic safety, and the need for vigilance within extended families.

As Poonam remains in custody, police continue their investigation into the sequence of crimes, possible triggers, and whether anyone else had suspicions earlier but failed to report them. The case is expected to proceed to court soon, with the prosecution likely to seek the maximum punishment.

The horrifying murders have not only torn families apart but also left the community struggling to comprehend how jealousy and resentment could escalate into repeated acts of violence against innocent children.

Conclusion
The Panipat child murders serve as a grim reminder of the need for early psychological intervention, stronger family communication, and timely reporting of suspicious behaviour. As the investigation deepens, India watches closely, seeking justice for the four young lives lost in an unimaginable tragedy.