10-year-old girl murdered by brother-in-law over marital dispute

By Sumesh Rajan | April 17, 2025

 

GURGAON, INDIA — In a deeply disturbing case that has shocked northern India, a 24-year-old man has been arrested for the premeditated murder of his 10-year-old sister-in-law. The accused, Mohit Kumar, allegedly killed the child to take revenge on his estranged wife and her family for not intervening in their marital discord.

The incident occurred in Gurgaon, a fast-developing urban hub located just southwest of New Delhi in northern Indian state of Haryana. The city, known for its rising skyline and tech infrastructure, is now grappling with a heinous crime that underscores the perils of unresolved domestic conflict and psychological instability.

Child Lured, Strangled, and Discarded

According to Gurgaon Police, the accused lured the victim, Sania, from her home in Om Nagar to his rented room in Bajghera on Saturday, April 12, under the pretext of spending time with her. Once inside the room, Kumar allegedly strangled the young girl to death, stuffed her body into a plastic bag, wrapped it in a shawl, and sealed it inside a sack. He then dumped the sack into a drainage canal running through Bajghera.

The girl's father filed a missing person report at the Palam Vihar police station on Monday, April 14,  triggering a citywide search. Despite initial efforts, police failed to locate the girl. However, during questioning, relatives disclosed long-standing tensions between Kumar and his wife—Sania’s elder sister—who had recently separated from him due to ongoing disputes and alleged abusive behavior.

Arrest and Confession

Police tracked down Kumar in Bajghera and detained him for questioning. During interrogation, he confessed to the murder, stating that he committed the act to inflict emotional pain on his in-laws, whom he blamed for his failing marriage.

“Kumar admitted that he had been harbouring resentment toward his wife’s family for not supporting him after his wife left with their child,” said a police spokesperson. “He even confessed to a previous attempt to strangle his father-in-law, which he considered part of his broader plan for revenge.”

Body Recovered, Murder Charge Added

With the help of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the body of the child was recovered from the Bajghera drain. A charge of murder (Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code) has been formally added to the FIR. Kumar remains in police custody as the investigation continues.

A senior officer involved in the case stated: “This is a cold-blooded and calculated murder driven by vengeance and a complete lack of empathy. The fact that the victim was a child makes the crime even more horrifying.”