Minor girl murdered and mutilated in India over financial dispute
Social media users are outraged as two-and-a half-year-old girl killed
What you need to know:
- A two-and-a half-year-old girl named Twinkle Sharma, was reportedly brutally murdered in Uttar Pradesh, India.
- The incident took place over a financial dispute.
- The indicent went viral and social media users were outraged.
- Two people have been arrested.
Tweeps in India were furious after a two-and-a half-year-old girl named Twinkle Sharma was reportedly brutally murdered in the Tappal town of Uttar Pradesh over a financial dispute.
District Senior Superintendent of Police in Aligarh told news agency ANI four people including the main accused in the case Zahid and his wife have been arrested.
According to newspaper India Times, Sharma was “strangled to death and her eyes were gouged out,” after her parents reportedly failed to repay a loan of Rs10,000 (Dh529).
The report further stated that her body was discovered after a pack of stray dogs were spotted carrying what appeared to be human body parts.
Some online news reports also stated that the girl had been raped and burned.
Two men have been arrested in this case. Identified as Zahid and Aslam, the men were the victim’s neighbours. In a report published by Indian newspaper, the Deccan Chronicle, Aligarh Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Akash Kulhary said: “We are proceeding with it as an NSA (National Security Act) case, we will try to get it to a fast track court. There is no mention of rape or acid in post-mortem report. Two accused have been arrested, five police officials have been suspended.”
The online report further stated that the girl’s body was found in a garbage dump on June 2.
The father of the victim told the police officials that the accused had threatened the family and promised dire consequences.
Despite reports by other news agencies, the Deccan Chronicle said that the post-mortem report ruled out the possibility of rape.
Social media reactions:
The incident went viral on social media and sent shockwaves across the country. Users called the incident “brutal”, “inhumane” and “shocking”. On Twitter, #JusticeforTwinkle was a top trend. Many spoke out against the accused and discussed the need to have stricter punishments for such crimes.
Many Bollywood celebrities including Twinkle Khanna, Rajkummar Rao, Sunny Leone and Sidharth Malhotra, have condemned the heinous act and are demanding action from the government.
Twinkle Khanna (@mrsfunnybones), posted: “It is heartbreaking to hear about the horrific murder of the two-and-a-half-year-old little girl in Aligarh. I would request @smritiirani to ensure that swift action is taken against the perpetrators of this heinous crime. #JusticeForTwinkle.”
Actor Rajkummar Rao (@RajkummarRao) tweeted: “My heart is full of disgust, anger and shame. This incident is beyond horrific. I’m so sorry kid. My heart goes out to her family. May her soul rest in peace. These rapists are monsters in human form. Let’s unite together as a country in demanding justice for her....”
After rape was ruled out by officials, the actor tweeted: “As per @aligarhpolice it was a murder and not a rape. I don’t want to spread any false information... this is as heinous as rape. It’s still inhuman and horrific and nothing can justify it....”
And actor Abhishek Bachchan (@juniorbachchan) posted: “Just so disgusted and angered hearing about #TwinkleSharma. How can somebody even think of doing such a thing. Speechless....”
A 2018 article by US newspaper The Washington Post said that India was ranked the world’s most dangerous place for women. The issue of the lack of safety for women in India was highlighted after the brutal Delhi Nirbhaya rape case, which gained international attention. Since then, there have been many other cases of abuse, rape and murder, involving minors.