A horrific crime has shaken Uttar Pradesh after the body of a seven-year-old girl was recovered from the basement of an under-construction shopping mall in Raj Nagar Extension, Ghaziabad. The victim, the daughter of migrant labourers employed at the construction site, had gone missing while playing near the workers' residential area on Friday evening.
According to the police investigation, the girl disappeared at around 7:30 pm. Her parents and fellow workers searched for her across the construction site before informing the police when they could not locate her. A joint search operation was immediately launched, and after several hours, the child's body was found in the sub-basement of the under-construction building.
The discovery triggered panic among labourers living at the site and drew senior police officers, forensic experts and crime scene investigators to the location.
The victim's family has alleged that the child was lured away with chips and a cold drink before being sexually assaulted and murdered. Police officials have confirmed that these allegations are part of the investigation. However, they have clarified that the exact nature of the offence will be established only after the post-mortem examination and forensic analysis.
During the investigation, police questioned several workers and individuals present at the construction site. Based on preliminary evidence and witness statements, officers arrested one adult suspect and detained a juvenile for questioning.
Investigators are examining CCTV footage from nearby areas, collecting digital evidence, analysing mobile phone records and recording statements from eyewitnesses to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the child's death.
The body has been sent for a detailed post-mortem examination, while forensic teams have collected biological samples, fingerprints and other physical evidence from the basement where the victim was found.
Police officials said the case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) along with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Additional charges may be added depending on the findings of the forensic and medical reports.
Senior police officers stated that the investigation is being conducted on priority and that every scientific method is being used to ensure a thorough and impartial probe. Multiple police teams have been assigned to examine all available evidence.
The incident has sparked widespread anger among local residents and labour communities, with many demanding stronger security arrangements at construction sites where hundreds of migrant workers live with their families. Questions have also been raised about child safety, surveillance systems and access control at large construction projects.
Child rights experts say construction sites often lack adequate security measures despite many labourers living there with young children. They have called for stricter safety protocols, improved lighting, CCTV coverage and dedicated child protection measures at such locations.
Police have appealed to the public not to circulate rumours or unverified information on social media while the investigation is underway. Officials emphasised that conclusions regarding sexual assault and the exact circumstances of the death will depend on the final post-mortem report, DNA examination and other forensic findings.
Authorities have assured the victim's family that the investigation will be conducted fairly and transparently, and that anyone found responsible for the crime will face the full force of the law.
The case remains under active investigation, with forensic reports, witness statements and electronic evidence expected to play a crucial role in determining the exact sequence of events and establishing criminal liability.