Kolkata, 13 November (H.S.) :A heart-wrenching incident has come to light from Bali village in West Bengal's Murshidabad district, where a nine-year-old girl was allegedly murdered by her minor neighbour. The deceased has been identified as Mallika Khatun (9). The police have apprehended a 13-year-old girl on murder charges and sent her to the Juvenile Observation Home in Berhampore.

According to police sources, the incident took place on Thursday morning when Mallika's parents had gone out to consult a doctor, leaving her alone at home. Taking advantage of their absence, the accused teenager entered the house. Since both families were relatives and well-acquainted with each other, Mallika did not suspect anything amiss.

It is alleged that the teenager first strangled the child and then inflicted multiple blows on her body, resulting in her death. In an attempt to conceal the crime, the accused hid the child's body beneath a bed in a nearby relative's house (her own). When Mallika's parents returned home and could not find their daughter, they began searching for her. Unable to find any clues, they immediately informed the Nowda police station.

Upon receiving the information, a police team reached the village and launched an intensive search operation. During the investigation, officers searched the neighbour's house, where the blood-soaked body of the child was recovered from under a bed late Thursday night. Following the recovery of the body, the police detained the accused teenager and subjected her to intense interrogation. According to the police, during questioning, the teenager allegedly confessed to her involvement in the murder. Preliminary investigation suggests that this heinous crime was committed out of greed for the gold ornaments worn by the child.

Police sources stated that the accused teenager's family background has been quite troubled. Her parents are separated, and she was currently living alone at home. According to local residents, the minor has been involved in theft and other wrongdoings in the past as well.

On Friday, the accused was produced before the relevant Juvenile Justice Authority, from where she was sent to the Juvenile Observation Home in Berhampore. At present, the police are conducting a thorough investigation into all aspects of this murder case, including whether the crime was pre-planned and the whereabouts of the gold ornaments that were the primary motive for the murder.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh