Image Source – National Herald
How Could This Happen? An Unspeakable Crime in Nehru Vihar
On June 7, 2025, an unspeakable crime tore through the Nehru Vihar neighborhood in Northeast Delhi’s Dayalpur police station area, highlighting the alarming escalation of crime and lawlessness in our society. A 9-year-old girl was raped and murdered, her semi-nude body stuffed into a suitcase and dumped in a locked flat. This horrific act, committed on the eve of Bakrid, has outraged the nation and prompted Canada to petition the world for immediate justice. The family accused Mohammed Naushad, a local who is now absconding, based on the mother’s testimony, which detailed the crime. This abhorrent tragedy demands urgent action on crime, stricter enforcement of law and order, and a cultural revival to protect our children and restore the values that once defined our society.
A Disturbing Incident
On June 7, 2025, a young girl from Nehru Vihar went to deliver ice to a relative’s home, a routine task in a community that should have been safe for its children. When she did not return, her family searched the area and located a locked flat just 200 meters from their home. Breaking the lock, the father discovered a suitcase containing his daughter’s body. She was semi-nude, covered in blood, and showed evident signs of violence. Medical reports confirmed she had been raped and brutally murdered, with marks on her face testifying to the barbarity of the crime. This tragedy left a family in grief, a community in horror, and all demanding answers.
What Happened to Her? The Heartbreaking Details
The Delhi Police have launched a detailed investigation, led by DCP Northeast Delhi, Ashish Mishra. A medical examination corroborated the family’s claim of sexual assault, and the victim’s body has been sent for a post-mortem to determine the cause of death. Police are reviewing CCTV footage from the area to locate the suspect, Mohammed Naushad, who remains at large. In a public statement, DCP Mishra assured that the accused would be arrested soon and that the police would do everything possible to ensure justice.
Can the Police Deliver Justice? The Ongoing Investigation
This tragedy is a shameful indictment of India’s failure to protect its children, stemming from weak governance, lax enforcement, and a society that has drifted from its traditional family and community values. According to the National Crime Records Bureau data for 2022, crimes against children have risen alarmingly, yet bureaucratic inefficiencies and poor implementation of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, persist. This incident serves as an ultimatum: India must stop rehabilitating criminals and tolerating delays in justice. The community demands the conviction of the guilty and the restoration of a society where such crimes are unthinkable.
Why Are Our Children Not Safe? Community Outrage and Demand for Justice
This tragedy underscores India’s failure to safeguard its children, resulting from poor governance, inadequate implementation, and a society increasingly detached from its traditional family and community-based values. The National Crime Records Bureau data for 2022 reveals a disturbing rise in crimes against children, yet bureaucratic inefficiencies and the sluggish enforcement of the POCSO Act, 2012, continue. This incident is a call to action—no longer will India tolerate the rehabilitation of criminals or delays in justice. Society demands swift conviction of the guilty and a future where such crimes are unimaginable.
What’s the Latest? Police Update on the Manhunt
As of June 8, 2025, the Delhi Police announced extensive efforts to apprehend Mohammed Naushad, the prime suspect in the rape and murder of the 9-year-old girl in Nehru Vihar. DCP Ashish Mishra stated that multiple police teams were conducting raids across Delhi and neighboring states, following leads on Naushad’s whereabouts. The investigation has gathered additional CCTV footage from the area, which is being analyzed to track Naushad’s movements before and after the crime. A case has been filed against Naushad under the POCSO Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act. The forensic team is collecting evidence to strengthen the case. The Delhi Police have urged the public to provide any information that could lead to Naushad’s arrest, assuring confidentiality for all informants.
How Do We Move Forward? Steps Toward Justice and Reform
To honor the memory of the young victim, an impartial and expeditious investigation must be prioritized to bring the guilty to justice. Beyond this case, societal reforms are essential to protect children, including:
- Empowering Law Enforcement: Train police officers to handle child sexual abuse cases swiftly and sensitively.
- Increasing Community Awareness: Establish neighborhood watch programs and educate families on child safety.
- Supporting Legal Reforms: Advocate for reforms to ensure swift trials, rigorous prosecution under the POCSO Act, and severe punishments to deter offenders.
- Providing Aid and Support: Offer counseling and legal assistance to families affected by such tragedies to help them cope with loss and trauma.
References
- Economic Times. (2025, June 8). 9-year-old girl’s body found in suitcase in Northeast Delhi, family alleges sexual assault. Retrieved from [source link]
- National Crime Records Bureau. (2023). Crime in India 2022: Statistics on Crimes Against Children. Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
- Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India.
