20-year-old held for Delhi teen’s brutal murder; NCW writes to police chief

A 20-year-old youth was arrested from Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh on Monday (May 29) afternoon for the alleged brutal murder of a 16-year-old girl in Delhi the day before, media reports said. The accused has been identified as Sahil.

The girl was stabbed multiple times and bludgeoned to death with a stone in north-west Delhi’s Shahbad Dairy area on Sunday, police said. A video of the incident was widely shared on social media.

The victim was reportedly a resident of JJ Colony in Shahbad Dairy area. The body was found on the street, a senior police officer said. She was passing through when the accused, reportedly her boyfriend, stopped her and stabbed her multiple times, the officer said.

Raja Banthia, Additional DCP, Outer North, told the media that there were several injuries on the girl’s body. “She was stabbed more than 20 times,” he said. The police said the post-mortem will confirm how many times the victim was stabbed.

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“Unsafe and insensitive”

National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Rekha Sharma has written to the Delhi Police Commissioner, urging him to conduct a fair and time-bound investigation into the matter. The NCW has formed a three-member team headed by member Delina Khongdup to look into the matter, news agency ANI reported.

Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal has appealed to the Centre to call a high-level meeting with the Union Home Minister, Delhi Lieutenant Governor, the Delhi Chief Minister, the Delhi Police Commissioner, and herself.

She pointed out that not only had Delhi become extremely unsafe for women and girls, but also very insensitive.

“A 16-year-old girl is stabbed 40–50 times and then hit by a stone multiple times in full public view. Several people see it happening but do not even spare a second glace and keep walking. Why is this happening? That’s because nobody is scared (of the consequences) in Delhi any longer. People think they can commit any horrible crime against women and girls and get away with it,” said Maliwal.

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“Lack of awareness”

BJP MP from North-West Delhi Hans Raj Hans admitted there have been similar cases in his constituency earlier too and were “very unfortunate”. He added: “Crime has increased among the youth. There is a lack of awareness…. I am in touch with the police and the victim’s family members. Youth often get caught up in emotions…”

The girl and her alleged murderer were reportedly in a relationship but had a quarrel on Saturday. On Sunday, the girl planned to attend the birthday party of her friend’s son but the accused waylaid her, said police.

A case under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code has been registered at Shahbad Dairy police station based on the complaint lodged by the girl’s father, the police added.

(With agency inputs)