A shocking crime has shaken the Muktsar district in Punjab, where a nine-year-old girl was abducted and brutally murdered. The prime accused is a 45-year-old man, Mukesh, who is a convicted murderer and was recently released from prison.
Grisly Discovery and Swift Police Action
The young victim, whose parents are originally from Bihar and were living in a slum in Muktsar, went missing in the early hours of Friday. Her family reported her disappearance, leading to a missing person's case at the Muktsar City police station. The search ended tragically on Saturday afternoon when her mutilated body was found in a secluded spot in Muktsar.
Police investigation quickly pointed to Mukesh, a resident of Muktsar. When a police team attempted to arrest him on Saturday night, he opened fire. The police retaliated, and a bullet hit Mukesh in the leg. He was subsequently arrested and admitted to Muktsar Civil Hospital for treatment.
A Serial Offender with a Violent Past
An examination of Mukesh's criminal record reveals a history of serious offences. A murder case was registered against him on January 12, 2007, and he was sentenced to life imprisonment on August 30, 2010. He was released from jail on November 29, 2022, after serving over 15 years. Even before the murder conviction, he had been booked under the NDPS Act in 2001.
Faridkot SSP Pragya Jain, who also holds the charge of Muktsar SSP, stated that the accused is a serial offender. Preliminary investigations suggest the minor girl was sexually exploited before being killed on Friday. Forensic teams have collected samples to confirm this aspect. The police are also investigating how Mukesh came into possession of the firearm used in the shootout.
Ongoing Investigation and Added Charges
The case, initially registered for abduction, now includes charges of murder. Authorities are also looking into whether Mukesh served a sentence for the earlier NDPS case. SSP Jain emphasized that a thorough investigation is underway to uncover all details of this heinous crime.
This incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of children and the monitoring of hardened criminals after their release. The community in Muktsar is in mourning, demanding justice for the innocent victim.
