12-year-old girl killed over reel dispute, 17-year-old boy detained

By Sagaya Fernando | April 27, 2025

 

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Navi Mumbai, India – A 12-year-old girl tragically lost her life after being attacked by a 17-year-old boy in Navi Mumbai, a meticulously planned city adjacent to Mumbai in the western Indian state of Maharashtra.

According to Senior Inspector Abasaheb Patil of the Turbhe MIDC police station, the girl was found with severe head injuries at the base of a forested patch of Parsik hill late on April 25. She was rushed to D Y Patil Hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead.

Earlier that day, the girl’s family had reported her missing from their home in the Shiravane MIDC area. Acting on the complaint, authorities registered a kidnapping case and launched an urgent search operation. Following the girl's death, police added a murder charge under section 103(2) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita.

Case Breakthrough and Arrest

The investigation took a critical turn when the accused attempted to discreetly return the girl’s mobile phone to her family, raising suspicions among investigators. A technical analysis of his movements and inconsistent statements led to his detention.

Upon interrogation, the boy confessed to the crime. He revealed that he lured the girl to an isolated spot at the foot of the hills under the pretext of taking a selfie. Driven by anger over a previous quarrel during their attempt to film social media reels, he attacked her with a large stone and fled the scene.

Background of the Victim and Accused

Police confirmed that both the deceased and the accused were acquaintances from the same neighbourhood in Shiravane MIDC. They often collaborated to create short videos for social media, a common pastime among youth in the area.

Legal ProceedingsThe boy has been taken into custody and presented before the Juvenile Justice Board. Investigations into the full circumstances surrounding the incident remain ongoing.