A 13-year-old girl’s murder in Paras Estate, situated near Leather Complex in the Jalandhar West, has sparked widespread anger, with residents accusing the police of failing to act in time. Here is a clear timeline of how the tragedy unfolded on the day of the incident.
4:00 PM — Girl Goes to Neighbour’s House
As per family and local residents statements to the police, the victim after returning from school and having her lunch, stepped out around 4pm to visit the house next door, where her friend lives and where she often played in the evenings.
According to the police, the accused, identified as Harminder Singh alias Rimpi (48), allegedly took the girl inside the house. During this time, the accused allegedly attempted to sexually exploit the minor girl, following which he allegedly killed the girl, fearing she would go and tell everything to her family and locals. Police say she died due to strangulation.
7:00 PM — Family and Residents Start Searching
When the girl did not return, her family and neighbours began searching the nearby streets and houses. They grew suspicious as she was reportedly last seen walking towards the neighbour’s residence in the CCTV footage.
10:00 PM — Police Arrive and Conduct a Search
After family complained at police control room, a team from Leather Complex chowki led by ASI Mangat Ram reached the locality. Residents informed officers that the girl had entered the neighbour’s house but never came out.
Police checked the house but failed to locate her, even though she was later found inside.
Between 11 to 11:30PM — Residents Discover the Body
Unsatisfied with the police search, locals entered the house themselves around 9:30 pm. A neighbour opened the bathroom door and found the girl’s body. The discovery triggered panic and anger throughout the colony.
11:30PM — Tense Situation, Crowd Surrounds Accused
A large crowd gathered outside the house soon after the body was found. Locals caught hold of the accused and thrashed him. The situation grew tense, and police had to intervene to prevent further violence.
After much resistance from the crowd, the accused was eventually taken into custody.
Around 1:00 AM — Body Remains at the Scene
Residents alleged that the victim’s body remained inside the house for several hours as police and forensic teams arrived late. The area remained tense until past midnight.
Senior police officers and BJP leader Sheetal Angural also reached the spot. Residents and political leaders accused the local police of negligence, claiming that a proper and timely search might have changed the outcome.
Police have registered a POCSO and murder case against the accused, and further investigation is underway.
