Man sentenced to death for girl's abduction and murder

A man was sentenced to death by a special Pocso court in Bhopal for the kidnapping, rape, and murder of a five-year-old girl. His mother and sister were given two years in prison for destroying evidence and trying to protect him. The judge described the crime as one of the worst she had seen. The court also ordered the man to pay Rs 4 lakh to the girl's family as compensation. This is believed to be the first death penalty handed down in Madhya Pradesh under the new Bhartiya Nyay Samhita law. The crime took place in September 2024. The girl's mother reported her missing after she left home to visit a relative's house nearby. The family searched for her but could not find her and soon contacted the police. The search for the girl involved a large team of officers and a dog squad. Eventually, police noticed a foul smell coming from a flat across from the girl's home. Despite attempts by the accused's mother and sister to mislead them, police entered the flat and discovered the girl’s body in a plastic tank. The man was charged with serious crimes under various laws, including the Pocso Act. His mother and sister also faced charges related to the kidnapping. All three were convicted. The victim's identity remains protected as required by law.