Four-Year-Old's Tragic Death: Father and Stepfather Arrested

A man and his father have been arrested for allegedly beating a four-year-old stepdaughter to death and secretly burying her body in a field near Shahjahanpur. The arrests were made nearly a month after the child's death following a complaint by her mother.

The woman, who married Akhilesh around four months ago after separating from her first husband about ten years earlier, alleged that Akhilesh frequently assaulted their daughter Priya, who was born from her previous marriage. According to the mother, on May 4, Akhilesh severely beat the child, leading to her death. He then allegedly took the body in a car under the pretense of seeking medical treatment and buried it in a field in the Kant area before traveling with his wife to Ambala.

Legal Proceedings and Arrests

Akhilesh, along with eight other members of his family, have been formally charged for their alleged involvement under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The Superintendent of Police, Saurabh Dixit, registered a case on Wednesday night, resulting in Akhilesh and Surendra Tara's arrest. Efforts are ongoing to locate and apprehend the remaining accused parties.

Dixit stated that an exhumation of the girl's body, buried approximately one month ago, would take place on Thursday for a post-mortem examination. This action underscores the seriousness with which such cases are being handled by local law enforcement authorities in Shahjahanpur.

The case has reignited discussions about child protection and familial accountability, especially when these involve close family members who potentially pose significant risks to unsuspecting children.