Greater Noida police announced on Saturday that the primary suspect in the rape and murder of a six‑year‑old girl died after an exchange of gunfire during a reconstruction of the crime scene. The incident unfolded hours after officials recovered the child’s body from a pond‑side area in Haldoni village.
Timeline of the investigation
The girl was reported missing on Friday afternoon. Her family, who operate a sweet shop in the village, lodged a missing‑person complaint at the Ecotech‑3 police station later that night. In response, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Noida) Shailendra Kumar Singh said a case was promptly registered and five search teams were dispatched to locate the child.
Intensive ground searches led to the recovery of the girl’s body on Saturday morning near a village pond. Residents gathered on the main road, chanting slogans as authorities secured the site. The body was subsequently sent for a post‑mortem examination, with a panel of doctors appointed to conduct a videographed autopsy, police confirmed.
Identification and arrest of the main suspect
Police investigators relied on CCTV footage and additional intelligence to pinpoint a 40‑year‑old man as the principal suspect. The man, described as a tenant of the victim’s uncle, was taken into custody on Saturday afternoon for questioning.
During interrogation, the suspect claimed he had concealed the weapon used in the crime within bushes close to the D‑Park police outpost. When officers escorted him to the location, he allegedly pushed a constable and discharged a concealed pistol, opening fire on the police squad.
One police officer sustained injuries in the exchange. The suspect also suffered gunshot wounds. Both were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. While the injured constable remained under medical care, doctors declared the suspect dead while he was being treated, according to Deputy Commissioner Swatantra Kumar Singh.
Legal proceedings and ongoing inquiry
The case has been formally registered under sections 65 (rape) and 103 (murder) of the Uttar Pradesh BNS Act, along with applicable provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. A forensic panel will record the post‑mortem findings on video, a step aimed at ensuring transparency in the investigation.
Police also disclosed that a CCTV clip circulating on social media appears to show the girl being followed by a man on Friday afternoon, with the man later returning with a sack on his back. Authorities have not verified the authenticity of the footage.
Context and reactions
Deputy Commissioner Swatantra Kumar Singh indicated that investigators believe the rape and murder were carried out at the residence of a second suspect, whose house is being examined for further evidence. The police are also probing the possible involvement of an extended family member of the victim.
Local residents expressed outrage and grief following the discovery of the child’s body, gathering on the village’s main thoroughfare to voice their anguish. The swift formation of multiple search teams and the rapid progression from missing‑person report to suspect apprehension reflect the intensity of the police response.
The fatal encounter has sparked discussion about police tactics during crime‑scene recreations. While officials maintain that the suspect opened fire first, the incident underscores the volatile nature of such operations, especially in cases involving severe crimes against children.
As the investigation proceeds, authorities will continue to examine the role of the second suspect and any additional persons linked to the crime. The post‑mortem report, once released, is expected to provide further clarity on the cause of death and any forensic evidence that may link other individuals to the offence.
Police have urged the public to refrain from circulating unverified videos and to cooperate with ongoing inquiries. The case remains under active investigation, with further updates anticipated as forensic results and additional witness statements are processed.
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