Nine-Year-Old Girl Found Dead in Suitcase in Delhi’s Dayalpur; Alleged sexual Assault Sparks Public Outrage and Protest
New Delhi — The horrific discovery of a nine-year-old girl’s body stuffed in a suitcase at a neighbour’s home in northeast Delhi’s Dayalpur locality has sent shockwaves across the city and sparked large-scale protests by enraged locals and grieving relatives. The minor, who was reported missing on Saturday evening, was later found dead under suspicious and brutal circumstances, raising serious concerns of sexual assault and foul play.
Timeline of the Incident
The victim, a resident of Gali No. 2 in Nehru Vihar, had reportedly left home around 7 p.m. to deliver ice to a nearby relative. When she failed to return after a long period, her family initiated a frantic search, reaching out to neighbours and extended family. According to her father, the relative she visited confirmed she stayed only a few minutes before leaving.
“We asked around, went door-to-door. Finally, someone told us she was last seen entering a house in the same lane. It was locked. When I broke in, I found her inside a suitcase, bleeding,” the father recounted, his voice choked with grief.
The girl was rushed to a nearby clinic, where doctors advised immediate transfer to a larger hospital. She was then taken to Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital in Shastri Park, where she was declared “brought dead.”
Initial Observations Suggest Assault
Delhi Police received a PCR call regarding the incident at 8:41 p.m., following which a team rushed to the scene. However, by the time they arrived, the girl had already been taken to the hospital.
Senior police officers have confirmed visible injuries on the child’s face, and initial observations by medical staff suggest possible sexual assault, although the final cause of death will only be established after a post-mortem examination.
“Forensic and crime scene teams have been deployed. All evidence is being preserved and examined thoroughly. This is being treated with utmost urgency,” a senior officer stated.
Manhunt Launched for Absconding Suspect
The suspect, believed to be the occupant of the house where the girl was found, is currently absconding. Police sources indicate that he may have fled immediately after the crime.
A case has been registered at Dayalpur Police Station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, which deals with aggravated sexual assault on minors.
“Multiple special teams are working round the clock to track the accused. We are scanning CCTV footage and questioning local residents. No angle is being ruled out,” said another official.
Massive Public Outrage and Road Blockade
As word of the girl’s tragic death spread, hundreds of residents gathered on the streets, staging a protest and demanding swift justice. Chanting slogans against the police for “negligence” and “delayed response,” the crowd blocked a key road, bringing traffic to a halt for several hours.
Many shopkeepers in the area voluntarily shut their shops amid rising tensions, and local markets wore a deserted look. Fearing a law and order crisis, the authorities deployed a heavy police force in Nehru Vihar and surrounding areas. Later, paramilitary forces were also called in to manage the situation and prevent escalation.
“The community is in shock. Everyone is angry, scared, and grieving. Such a heinous act in a residential colony has left parents terrified,” said a local resident who joined the protest.
Senior Delhi Police officials, including the area DCP, were seen interacting with the crowd late into the night, urging calm and assuring the family and residents that strict and immediate action would be taken.
“We understand the anger and emotions. This is a tragic incident. But we request everyone to maintain peace and allow the investigation to proceed unhindered,” a senior official said on the scene.
The victim’s parents are inconsolable. The mother, reportedly in a state of shock, repeatedly cried out for her daughter during the protest. Neighbours described the scene as “heartbreaking.”
Her father, visibly shaken, vowed not to rest until the perpetrator was caught and punished. “She was just a child. What wrong did she do? The police didn’t even collect evidence until 1 a.m. The killer is still free. I won’t stay quiet until he is behind bars,” he said.
Authorities have confirmed that crime scene teams have collected biological samples and material evidence from the scene. The autopsy report, which is awaited, will be crucial in determining the exact cause and nature of the crime.
As Delhi reels under yet another case of brutality against a child, calls for systemic reform, stricter enforcement of child protection laws, and faster justice processes have grown louder.
Anyone with information related to the incident is urged to contact the local police station immediately.
