NEW DELHI: In a chilling incident that has shaken the Sarai Kale Khan area, the Delhi Police have arrested a 23-year-old man for the kidnapping and brutal murder of his six-year-old niece. The accused, identified as Manoj Lugun, allegedly killed the minor and dumped her body in a well to conceal the crime.
Missing Report and Swift Police Action
The tragedy began on the night of February 19, 2026, when a resident of Sarai Kale Khan reported that his daughter had been missing since 3:00 PM. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the Sunlight Colony Police Station registered an FIR (Case No. 0069/2026) under Section 137(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at 1:00 AM the following morning.
CCTV Footage Leads to Breakthrough
The investigation took a turn when police scanned local CCTV footage. The victim was last seen in the company of Manoj Lugun, a distant relative and neighbor. In a disturbing display of deception, Lugun had actually accompanied the grieving father to the police station to file the initial missing person report, attempting to mislead investigators from the start.
Confession and Recovery of the Body
Despite his initial denials, Lugun cracked under sustained interrogation when confronted with CCTV evidence. He confessed to the following:
- The Act: On Feb 19, he lured the child to an isolated area near IP Park, behind Shanti Stupa.
- The Murder: He attacked the child, striking her on the head with a brick.
- The Disposal: To hide his tracks, he threw the body into a nearby well.
Following his confession, the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) was called to the scene, where they recovered the child’s body from the well.
Investigation into Sexual Assault
While a visible head injury was found during the initial recovery, the motive for the murder remains under investigation. Authorities stated that sexual assault cannot be ruled out at this stage; however, confirmation is pending the results of the Post-Mortem Examination (PME).
“The Delhi Police remains committed to ensuring justice for the victim and her family. Every aspect of this case is being thoroughly investigated,” a departmental spokesperson stated.
The police have added Section 103(1) (Murder) of the BNS to the existing FIR. The accused is currently in custody as further forensic evidence is gathered.
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