Wardha: 12-Year-Old Girl Found Dead, Police Suspect S*xual Assault Before Murder by Stone
A 12-year-old girl was found dead in her home in a village in Maharashtra's Wardha district on Wednesday evening, police said on Thursday. Officers suspect she was s*xually assaulted before being bludgeoned to death with a stone, in a case that has triggered widespread protests in the area. The girl's partially unclothed body was discovered inside the house, police said.
A 12-year-old girl was found dead in her home in a village in Maharashtra's Wardha district on Wednesday evening, police said on Thursday. Officers suspect she was s*xually assaulted before being bludgeoned to death with a stone, in a case that has triggered widespread protests in the area. The girl's partially unclothed body was discovered inside the house, police said.
Stone Used As Weapon, Medical Examination Underway
A stone recovered at the scene is believed to have been used to bludgeon her to death. Wardha Superintendent of Police Saurav Kumar Agrawal said investigators suspect s*xual assault took place before the murder. A medical examination is underway to establish the full circumstances of the case.
Case Registered Under BNS And POCSO Act
Police registered a case based on a complaint filed by the girl's mother. The FIR names unidentified individuals and includes charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for murder, rape, s*xual violence, and house trespass, along with relevant sections of the Protection of Children from S*xual Offences (POCSO) Act. Surat: Lawyer Assisting 13-Year-Old Rape Survivor Accused of Raping Her, Arrested.
12-Year-Old Girl Found Dead In Wardha
Farm Labourer Arrested After Initial Questioning
Police initially detained three people for questioning. One of them, Rahul Raju Madavi, a 30-year-old farm labourer who worked on land next to the victim's house, has since been arrested in connection with the murder. Patna High Court Says Removing Woman's Salwar, Pressing Her Chest Not 'Attempt To Rape'.
Special Investigation Team Formed
Fourteen special police teams have been formed, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) is now handling the case.
Maharashtra Minister of State for Home (Rural) Pankaj Bhoyar described the killing as extremely condemnable. He said police acted immediately to register the case and that efforts were continuing to ensure those responsible are held to account.
Protests Erupt As Family Demands Justice
After the post-mortem examination, when the body was being returned to the family, relatives and local residents protested outside the hospital. A large crowd followed the ambulance, creating a tense atmosphere.
Residents also blocked a road for a period, demanding the death penalty for the accused and a fast-track trial. Police have maintained a presence in the village to prevent any further disturbance. No further arrests have been reported so far.
Women and Child Helpline Numbers:
Childline India – 1098; Missing Child and Women – 1094; Women’s Helpline – 181; National Commission for Women Helpline – 112; National Commission for Women Helpline Against Violence – 7827170170; Police Women and Senior Citizen Helpline – 1091/1291.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 17, 2026 09:13 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).