New Delhi: A frantic overnight search for a 13-year-old boy ended tragically on Tuesday morning when his body was recovered from a forested area in Bhati Mines, south Delhi. Two minors have been apprehended in connection with the incident, one of whom had allegedly returned from an observation home just two months ago.
Missing Boy and Initial Search
The victim, the son of daily-wage labourers, went missing from Maidan Garhi on Monday evening. He had told his parents he was going out to play but never returned. The parents approached the local police station, leading to the registration of a kidnapping case and a missing person report. Police teams began searching for him. Officers also discovered that two other minors from the neighborhood were untraceable.
A senior officer said, "The search for the boy continued overnight. We looked for him in several areas near his house and across the neighborhood." CCTV footage later showed the victim playing with two other boys, aged around 15 and 17, shortly before his disappearance. "These two boys were also not found anywhere," the officer added.
Arrests and Confession
Police used technical surveillance to trace the two juveniles. During interrogation, they allegedly confessed to the crime. According to investigators, a minor altercation over brushing shoulders while playing escalated into a dispute. The boys initially argued but appeared to settle the matter. However, they later decided to lure the 13-year-old to a secluded forested area in Bhati Mines, where they strangled him and smashed his head with rocks.
Based on their disclosure, police teams reached the spot early Tuesday and recovered the boy's body. Both minors have been apprehended.
Public Outrage and Demands for Justice
Outraged by the incident, family members and locals protested outside the police post in Sanjay Colony on Wednesday, demanding justice. They briefly blocked the road. The boy's uncle alleged, "Though we approached the police station around 8 pm and an FIR was registered around midnight, we only received information around 8 am the next morning that he had been found dead. Strict action should be taken against the minors."
The incident has sparked discussions about juvenile crime and the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs, as one of the accused had recently returned from an observation home. Police are continuing their investigation.
