Man arrested after shootout in South West Delhi for murder of three-year-old girl
The Delhi Police on Thursday arrested a 37-year-old tailor in South West Delhi following an exchange of gunfire, in connection with the murder of a three-year-old girl whose body was discovered in a drain.
The suspect, identified as Chandan Kumar, lived in the same neighbourhood as the victim. According to the police, Kumar confessed to killing the child and throwing her body into the drain.
The incident came to light after the police received information regarding the disappearance of the three-year-old girl on the evening of July 10. Following the report, the police registered a case under Section 137(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and initiated an investigation to trace the missing child.
During the intervening night of July 14 and July 15, the police received information that the child's body had been recovered from a drain. A Crime Branch team and forensic experts immediately arrived to inspect the spot. A post-mortem examination later confirmed that the child was murdered before her body was dumped in the drain.
DCP Amit Goel stated that investigators analysed CCTV footage from the area during the probe. The footage revealed suspicious movements by Kumar, leading the police to identify him as the prime suspect.
Acting on these leads, a police team raided Kumar's hideout in the early hours of Thursday. When officers attempted to apprehend him, Kumar opened fire. In retaliation, the police fired one round, which struck Kumar in his left leg.
Officers then overpowered Kumar and took him into custody. The police recovered a country-made pistol and one live cartridge from his possession. Following his arrest, Kumar was shifted to a hospital for medical treatment.
Kumar works as a tailor in the area, while his wife and son reside in his native village in Ballia. The Delhi Police stated that further investigation is currently underway to establish the motive behind the murder, and legal action is being taken in accordance with the law.
