A woman in northern India has been arrested after allegedly drowning her six-year-old niece in a water tub during a family wedding celebration, with police revealing a series of further shocking confessions.
A Fatal Act of Jealousy
The horrific incident occurred on Monday in the industrial city of Panipat. The victim, a young girl named Vidhi, had travelled approximately 30 miles with her family to attend the wedding. Her father Sandeep, mother, ten-month-old brother, and grandmother Omwati were all present.
According to local reports, the suspect, identified as Poonam, is Vidhi's paternal aunt. She allegedly confessed to drowning the child because she did not want anyone to look "more beautiful" than her at the wedding event.
A Grisly Discovery and a Wider Pattern
The tragedy unfolded when Vidhi was reported missing. After an hour of searching, her grandmother Omwati made the grim discovery. She found the child with her head submerged in a tub of water and her feet on the floor.
Vidhi was rushed to the nearby NC Medical College, but doctors could only declare her dead. Following the incident, police arrested Poonam for interrogation.
During questioning, her confession took a far more sinister turn. Poonam is reported to have admitted to drowning multiple children, specifically targeting young girls. She has so far confessed to killing four children in total.
A Chilling Timeline of Crimes
The alleged confessions point to a pattern of violence that had previously been dismissed as tragic accidents. The timeline provided by local media includes:
- In 2023: Poonam allegedly killed her sister-in-law's daughter.
- Also in 2023: She is said to have then killed her own son to avoid suspicion.
- In August this year: She confessed to killing another young girl in the nearby area of Siwah, again because the victim was "prettier" than her.
All these deaths were presumed to be accidents until Poonam's alleged statements under police questioning. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to verify the full extent of her confessions.
