Delhi: 11-Year-Old Girl Kidnapped, Raped, and Murdered; Cab Driver Arrested

In a deeply disturbing incident that has sent shockwaves across the national capital, an 11-year-old girl was allegedly kidnapped, raped, and murdered in the Mehrauli area of South Delhi. The Delhi Police have arrested a cab driver in connection with the crime, who has reportedly confessed to his involvement. The horrifying ordeal began early Monday morning when the victim, who was sleeping with her family on a footpath in Mehrauli, was abducted by the accused. According to preliminary reports, the accused, identified as Bashu Kumar Singh, a 30-year-old native of Bihar who operates an app-based cab service, approached the girl around 5 am while she was asleep. The family, initially unaware of the abduction, only realized the girl was missing a couple of hours later and immediately alerted the police by filing a PCR call. Responding swiftly to the complaint, the Delhi Police formed multiple specialized teams and launched an extensive search operation. Investigators meticulously analyzed CCTV footage from Mehrauli and surrounding areas, including routes leading towards Haryana, which proved crucial in identifying the suspect and his vehicle. This intensive surveillance effort led to the apprehension of the cab driver, identified as Bashu Kumar Singh, within six hours of the crime being reported. During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to kidnapping the girl from the footpath, taking her to an isolated location, and subsequently raping and murdering her. He further revealed that he had disposed of the victim's body in a forested area near the Delhi-Gurugram border, along the Faridabad-Gurugram road, in an attempt to conceal the crime. The police successfully recovered the victim's body from this location and it has been sent for a post-mortem examination to ascertain the exact cause of death. In a dramatic turn of events, while being taken to the crime scene for reconstruction, the accused allegedly attempted to escape from police custody near the Delhi-Haryana border. During this incident, he sustained a bullet injury to his leg when police opened fire in self-defense. He is currently stable and under police custody. This tragic incident underscores the persistent issues surrounding child safety in Delhi. Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) indicates that Delhi consistently records a high number of crimes against children, including kidnappings and sexual offenses. In 2024, Delhi led metro cities in crimes against children with 7,662 cases, and also topped in child abductions with 5,404 cases. The low chargesheeting rate in such cases in Delhi further exacerbates concerns. The recovered body of the victim was sent for a post-mortem examination, and forensic teams have collected evidence from the crime scene and the location where the body was found. The accused, Bashu Kumar Singh, has prior criminal cases registered against him in Bihar, including assault and attempted murder charges. The incident has reignited calls for stricter measures to ensure the safety of children, especially those from vulnerable backgrounds who often lack secure living conditions. Authorities have emphasized the need for enhanced vigilance and prompt action against perpetrators of such heinous crimes. Meanwhile, in related news, the Delhi government has been focusing on strengthening school safety measures, with instructions issued for the formation of Child Protection Committees in all schools by the end of July and the implementation of POCSO Standard Operating Procedures. This incident, however, highlights that safety concerns extend beyond school premises, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to child protection in public spaces.

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