Autopsy Confirms Brutal Beating Led to Death
The post-mortem examination of eight-year-old Alina from Bara village in Gwalior has confirmed that she was killed after a severe beating over money allegedly stolen from a neighbour's piggy bank. The preliminary report, received on Friday, revealed more than 10 external and internal injuries on the child's body, from head to toe. Doctors concluded that she died due to internal haemorrhaging and failure of vital organs caused by severe physical assault.
Neighbour Arrested
Following the findings, police arrested Amin Khan, the accused neighbour, and booked him for murder. According to investigating officers, Alina had wandered into Khan's house while playing on Thursday evening when the house was unoccupied. A passerby reportedly spotted the girl near the house and informed Khan.
Alleged Theft and Confrontation
Khan later found the child at a nearby shop, sipping a soft drink, and grilled her over the piggy bank. The minor allegedly admitted to taking the money, which was later recovered. However, police said the neighbour continued to seethe even after getting back the lost money. They suspect he then took the child away and beat her up so severely that she could barely walk when she returned home.
Police Statement
Senior Superintendent of Police Dharamveer Yadav told TOI, “The girl was beaten by the neighbour on suspicion of theft. She had been living with her alcoholic father and two sisters in a small house after her mother left the family. We arrested the neighbour, booked him for murder and put him behind bars.” He added, “I can’t imagine that a small girl from an already broken family lost her life over a small amount of money allegedly stolen from a piggy bank.”
Father Failed to Seek Medical Help
Residents said the girl often played in the village lanes while her father struggled with alcoholism and poverty. Unaware of the severity of her injuries, her father did not seek urgent medical help. By the time he realised something was wrong, it was too late. “Alina must have spent the night writhing in pain,” an officer said, adding, “she was found dead on her bed the next morning.”
Forensic Evidence Dismisses Initial Claims
The forensic findings also helped investigators dismiss early claims that the accused had merely questioned the girl. Scientific evidence and the preliminary post-mortem report pointed, instead, to a sustained and violent assault.
