Minor girl murder in Bhubaneswar: Motive was sexual assault, says CP

Bhubaneswar: Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Commissioner of Police (CP) Soumendra Priyadarshi on Wednesday said the police had tagged the ghastly sexual assault and murder of a three-year-old girl whose body was recovered from a slum here in the city as a sensitive case and efforts were being made to ensure exemplary punishment to the accused.

The CP’s announcement came hours after the cops arrested the accused as Ghania.

The thirty-year-old Ghania allegedly living in Kela slum under Airfield police station on Tuesday lured the child to his house by promising to give her chocolates and inflicted sexual assault on her. Later, he killed the girl by slitting her throat with a knife.

According to Priyadarshi, the accused Ghania works as a daily wage earner and was familiar with the victim's minor girl and always used to give her chocolates. The accused had taken the girl to his room with the intention of sexual assault and hence a case under POCSO Act, 2012 (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act); and for murder was registered.

Initially, a case under sections 363 and 302 Indian Penal Code (IPC) was registered as the minor girl was missing on the day of the incident, said Priyadarshi.

“After examining the post-mortem report, it will be clear whether the minor girl was raped or not. However, as the case is sensitive, we will complete the investigation at the earliest. A public prosecutor will be appointed and will try for exemplary punishment for the accused,” said Priyadarshi.

The CP informed that after taking the victim to his house with the intention of sexual assault, the accused Ghania killed her by slitting her throat fearing that she would reveal it to others. Soon after committing the crime, Ghania fled to his in-laws’ place at Balikuda and later to Rahama area in Jagatsinghpur district. The CP had formed six special teams and finally, the accused was nabbed from Rahama area on Tuesday.

On reports that the accused was under the influence of some narcotics, the CP said it might be true. His medical examination has been done and samples collected in this regard, he said.

“Preliminary medical examination indicates that there may not be rape, but attempt was made. The knife with blood stains has been seized and the motive of the accused will be investigated. As a girl below 5 years of age, we will investigate the case on top priority,” Priyadarshi added.