In a deeply disturbing case from Haryana, a 32-year-old educated homemaker has been arrested for the alleged murder of four young children, including her own three-year-old son, over a span of two years. The Panipat police are now probing the chilling sequence of events and the possible motives behind the crimes that were initially passed off as tragic accidents.
The Arrest and Shocking Confession
Poonam, a 32-year-old resident of Panipat, was taken into custody on December 3, 2025, after she allegedly confessed to drowning four children. The arrest sent shockwaves through her family and community, not least because Poonam holds a Master's degree in Political Science from Kurukshetra University and a B.Ed from Sonipat. Described by relatives as detached, withdrawn, and a loner, her alleged actions have left investigators and family members grappling for answers.
According to Panipat Superintendent of Police Bhupendra Singh, the alleged murders were committed in three different locations: her marital home in Bhawad, her maternal home in Siwah, and a relative's residence in Naultha village. The police claim the method was consistent—drowning in water tanks and tubs—and the crimes were carried out quietly, allowing them to be initially perceived as accidental deaths.
A Timeline of Alleged Crimes
The grim series began in 2023 at Poonam's residence in Bhawad. Her nine-year-old niece, Ishika, and her own three-year-old son, Shubham, were found dead in a water tank. Investigators allege that Poonam drowned her son after killing Ishika, fearing that the family would suspect foul play if only the niece died.
The third incident occurred in August 2025 at her maternal home in Siwah. The victim was Jiya, her cousin's six-year-old daughter. This death was also believed to be an accidental drowning, and funeral rites were performed. Some relatives reportedly sensed something amiss but did not pursue the matter further.
The fourth murder, which ultimately led to her arrest, took place on December 1, 2025, during a wedding in Naultha village. While attending the marriage of a relative of her husband, Poonam allegedly noticed six-year-old Vidhi, daughter of Naveen's cousin Sandeep, climbing stairs. Police claim she followed the child to the terrace, spoke to her briefly, and then drowned her in a plastic tub filled with water outside a storeroom. She then allegedly locked the door from the outside and returned to the wedding festivities.
The Unraveling and Investigation
Suspicion first fell on Poonam when family members noticed her clothes and sleeves were wet. She reportedly gave conflicting explanations to different people who asked about it. She changed her clothes and went to dry them on another terrace. The situation escalated when a frantic search for Vidhi ended with the discovery of her body in the locked storeroom.
Poonam was taken into custody shortly after. During questioning, she allegedly admitted to all four murders. The police investigation has since uncovered troubling background details. Relatives described her as someone who preferred solitude, kept her 18-month-old son away from others, and seemed detached from her marital family.
A relative, Pal Singh, recalled an earlier incident from three years ago in Sonipat's West Ramnagar, where Poonam allegedly spilled hot tea on Vidhi's body and hands, dismissing it as an accident. The matter was overlooked at the time. Police also suggest that constant remarks comparing her son's looks unfavorably to other children may have left her deeply unsettled. Furthermore, the investigation points to her alleged association with a tantrik in Kairana, Uttar Pradesh. She reportedly claimed to be possessed by the spirit of a young man from her in-laws' neighbourhood, which she used to confuse her family about her behaviour.
With her confession recorded, Poonam remains in police custody as investigators continue to piece together what drove a mother and homemaker to commit such horrific acts within her own family circle. The case has raised profound questions about mental health, societal pressures, and the hidden tragedies that can unfold behind closed doors.
