Police in Meerut have solved the horrific case surrounding the body of a six-month-old infant discovered in an open drain in the Nauchandi police station area. Investigating officers have arrested the primary suspect, uncovering a chilling tale where an online friendship on Instagram led to an extramarital affair, ultimately resulting in the murder of an innocent child.
From an Instagram Connection to a Deadly Affair
According to details revealed by law enforcement officials, the tragic incident stems from a digital relationship that began three months ago. Imran, a resident of Daulatpur Chhanno village in the Gangoh area of Saharanpur district, works as a laborer in a rice mill located in Bathinda, Punjab, to support his family. During his long absences from home, his wife Shabana connected on Instagram with Vishal Kumar, a resident of Mudafara village in Hapur district.
What began as casual online messaging quickly transformed into an intense romantic affair. The pair eventually decided to leave their existing lives behind and move in together. However, Shabana's six-month-old son, Sahil, was viewed by the suspect as an obstacle to their future, prompting a sinister plot to eliminate the infant.
Leaving Home Under the Pretext of Buying Medicine
Providing details of the investigation, SP City Vinayak Vikram Bhonsle stated that on the night of July 12, Shabana left her home claiming she needed to purchase medicine. Carrying her infant son Sahil, she traveled to the Sohrab Gate bus stand in Meerut, where her lover Vishal Kumar was waiting for her arrival.
Upon meeting at the terminal, Vishal manipulated Shabana by arguing that his family would never accept their relationship if she brought the child along. He convinced her that he would temporarily leave the baby in the safe custody of a trusted acquaintance. Trusting his assurances, Shabana handed six-month-old Sahil over to Vishal.
Infant Strangulated and Thrown into an Open Drain
After taking the child, Vishal carried the infant to an isolated spot near Vaishali Colony within the Nauchandi police station limits. Authorities state that he strangulated the defenseless infant there and subsequently threw the body into an open drain to dispose of the evidence.
Following the crime, Vishal returned to the Sohrab Gate bus stand, met Shabana, and took her to his native village of Mudafara in Hapur. Shabana remained unaware at the time that the man she trusted had taken her infant son's life.
Discovery by Waste Picker and Initial Police Response
The crime came to light on July 13 when a local waste picker noticed the baby's floating corpse in the drain and immediately alerted the Nauchandi police station. Officers arrived at the scene, recovered the body, and preserved it for 72 hours in an effort to establish identity before conducting an autopsy.
The post-mortem examination determined that the official cause of death was drowning. Since the child remained unidentified at the time, police registered the case as an unclaimed body. Meanwhile, Imran returned home to Saharanpur from Punjab after 14 days, only to find his wife and infant son missing from their residence.
Tracking the Location from Saharanpur to Hapur
Unable to locate his family, Imran filed a missing person report at the Gangoh police station in Saharanpur district. During the subsequent investigation, police tracked Shabana's mobile phone location to Mudafara village in Hapur. On July 26, a police team raided the location and safely recovered Shabana.
When Imran questioned Shabana regarding their son's whereabouts, she claimed that Vishal had left Sahil with a friend. However, Imran soon learned about the unclaimed infant body recovered earlier in Meerut. He traveled to Meerut and positively identified the body as his son Sahil through photographs and the clothing found on the child.
CCTV Evidence Secured as Accused is Arrested
Following the positive identification of his son, Imran submitted a formal complaint leading to a murder charge registered at the Gangoh police station. Acting swiftly, police arrested the accused Vishal Kumar on Friday night.
During the ongoing probe, investigators secured vital CCTV footage from the Sohrab Gate bus stand. The footage clearly captures Vishal and Shabana together at the station accompanied by the infant. Police consider this video evidence crucial for establishing the timeline and securing a conviction in court. The murder of six-month-old Sahil highlights a tragic reality where innocent children bear the ultimate cost of adult deception.
