A tragic incident has shaken the residents of a village near Pune after a 14-year-old physically challenged girl was discovered dead inside her makeshift home. The discovery was made on Sunday morning in Sonesangvi village, located in Shirur taluka approximately 60 kilometers from Pune city.
Discovery and Initial Police Response
According to Senior Inspector Mahadev Waghmode of the Ranjangaon MIDC police station, the girl's relatives found her body around 6 am on Sunday and immediately informed the authorities. The police, upon arriving at the scene, observed injuries indicative of an animal attack, with wounds on part of her leg and throat. Waghmode stated that the police have registered a case of accidental death and their investigations are ongoing.
Inspector Waghmode provided crucial context about the victim's living conditions. He confirmed the girl had physical challenges and was unable to move without assistance. She resided alone in a shanty that lacked a proper door, being covered only by a plastic sheet. Her mother visited her once a week, while her daily care was provided by her grandfather and uncle. "The animal or animals might have entered the shanty and attacked the girl, who was not able to move or resist," Waghmode explained, highlighting the vulnerability of the situation.
Forest Department's Investigation and Findings
The police promptly alerted the forest department, whose team visited the site to conduct an examination. Assistant Conservator of Forest for the Junnar division, Smita Rajhans, informed that her team collected swab samples from near the wounds. These samples have been sent to a laboratory in Nagpur for forensic analysis, which is expected to provide a conclusive cause of death.
An officer from the forest department offered a preliminary assessment, ruling out the involvement of a leopard. "Our team did not find any traces of a leopard in or around the shanty. We are waiting for the forensic report," the officer stated. This points the initial suspicion towards other wild animals or stray dogs, though an official determination is pending the expert report.
Awaiting Answers and Community Impact
The incident has cast a pall over Sonesangvi village, raising concerns about safety and the interface between human settlements and wildlife or stray animal populations. The stark difference between the police's suspicion of an animal attack and the forest department's need for scientific validation underscores the procedural steps in such cases.
The final word on the tragic death of the 14-year-old girl rests on the findings from the forensic lab in Nagpur. Until then, authorities continue their parallel probes, and the community mourns the loss of a young life under heartbreaking circumstances. The case highlights the critical need for secure housing and care for vulnerable individuals in rural areas.
