A horrific crime has shaken a migrant workers' settlement in Bengaluru's Whitefield area, where a six-year-old girl was abducted and brutally murdered on Monday, January 7, 2026. The prime suspect, a fellow resident, is currently absconding as police launch a massive manhunt.
The Tragic Sequence of Events
The victim, the second daughter of a labourer hailing from West Bengal, was playing outside her home in the afternoon while her parents were at work nearby. Her father, in a statement to the police, mentioned that he had briefly returned home for lunch and seen his daughter playing. He also noted the presence of the suspect, Yusuf Meer, also a native of West Bengal, loitering in the vicinity at that time.
Shortly after the father left to resume work, the young girl went missing. Her parents, in a state of panic, began frantically searching the colony and surrounding areas. Their worst fears were confirmed when they discovered the child's body dumped in a drain close to the settlement.
Police Investigation and Suspected Motive
Police, who reached the spot soon after being alerted, stated that preliminary investigations indicate the child was strangled to death. The body was found with plastic ropes around the neck. A senior officer confirmed that prima facie, no other external injuries were found on the body, and there were no signs suggestive of sexual assault.
Based on initial findings, investigators suspect the murder may have been driven by personal animosity or vengeance. However, the girl's father has told the police that he had no prior enmity, financial disputes, or confrontations with the suspect, leaving the exact motive unclear at this stage.
Manhunt Underway and Community in Shock
Following a formal complaint by the grieving family, the Whitefield police have registered a case of murder. Multiple police teams have been formed to trace the absconding suspect, Yusuf Meer. Efforts are focused on tracking his movements and questioning individuals who may have last seen him.
The incident has sent waves of shock and grief through the close-knit settlement, where many daily-wage workers live in makeshift dwellings. The brutal killing of an innocent child has highlighted the vulnerabilities within migrant communities. The police probe continues as the search for the suspect intensifies.
