What Led a Father to Strangle His 5-Year-Old Daughter in Jalandhar?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
In a harrowing incident that unfolded in Jalandhar, Punjab, a father is accused of taking the life of his five-year-old daughter by strangulation. The tragic event occurred because the child was crying persistently, a sound her father could no longer bear. Rather than provide comfort, he resorted to violence, leading to her untimely demise.
Reports indicate that the father first hurled the child to the ground. Her cries, filled with fear and pain, only intensified, prompting him to strangle her, ultimately leading to her death.
This grim episode transpired in Doordarshan Enclave, and the authorities have since apprehended the father.
The suspect has been identified as Arvinder Singh, a daily wage worker from Chhattisgarh, currently residing in Doordarshan Enclave. Following a complaint lodged by the child’s uncle, Himmat Kumar, police acted swiftly to arrest Arvinder.
The complaint reveals that Arvinder Singh struggled with substance addiction, frequently engaging in alcohol consumption. The family was said to be under severe financial stress and domestic unrest.
While Arvinder worked as a daily laborer, his wife contributed as a domestic worker to manage household expenses. Their daughter, Niharika, was raised in this challenging environment.
On February 3, while Niharika’s mother was at work, she was alone with her father. During this time, he was reportedly drinking alcohol. Around 2:30 pm, the young girl began crying out of hunger.
According to police reports, the father allegedly tried to silence her by forcing alcohol into her mouth. He then picked her up and threw her down. As her cries persisted despite his attempts to quiet her, Arvinder lost his temper and strangled her to death.
The neighborhood was left in disbelief upon discovering the incident, with an overwhelming sense of sorrow permeating the area.
Niharika’s mother was inconsolable upon returning home and learning of her daughter's tragic fate. As her only child, the loss was devastating.
The police have charged the father and presented him before the court, where he has been remanded to two days of police custody for further investigation.
Similar violent acts against children have been reported in other regions as well. For instance, in Northeast Delhi, a 12-year-old boy named Altamash was found murdered in a wooded area, with his stepfather suspected of the crime. Reports indicated that the boy was not only killed but also subjected to horrific mutilation.
In another incident from Haryana, police arrested a man for the brutal murder of his two-year-old stepson, who succumbed to injuries after being severely beaten.