Teen’s death raises suspicion in Sonipat, cops retrieve ashes from pyre for probe

Sonipat: A 14-year-old schoolgirl's mysterious death in Haryana's Sonipat district has triggered a major police investigation after villagers alleged foul play and claimed strangulation marks were found on her neck. The case took a dramatic turn when police rushed to the cremation ground and recovered ashes from the funeral pyre for forensic examination.According to police, the Class 10 student had returned home from her govt school on Thursday afternoon. Family members claimed she had gone to a neighbour's house to fetch water shortly before her health suddenly deteriorated. Within minutes, news of her death spread across the village.Initially, the family allegedly told villagers that the girl had complained of severe stomach pain before collapsing. However, suspicion mounted when a local woman reportedly removed the cloth covering the body and noticed marks around the girl's neck. She immediately raised doubts over the nature of the death, claiming it did not appear natural.The matter was then brought to the notice of village sarpanch Jasbir, who informed Ganaur police. By the time police personnel reached the spot, the family had already performed the last rites. Considering the seriousness of the allegations, investigators later reached the cremation ground, seized the remains from the pyre and sent them for forensic analysis.Police officials said the girl's mother repeatedly changed her statements during preliminary questioning. She initially claimed the teenager died due to severe abdominal pain, later said she was suffering from jaundice, and subsequently alleged that the girl had died by suicide.Investigators said the contradictory statements further intensified suspicion surrounding the case.During the probe, police also found that the woman had earlier separated from her first husband, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, and later began living with another man. The deceased girl was among three daughters from her first marriage. The woman also has two children with her second partner.Elder Sister Had Also Died Under Suspicious CircumstancesPolice are now re-examining another disturbing incident linked to the family. Officials said the deceased girl's elder sister had also died under suspicious circumstances nearly a year ago after allegedly drowning in a village pond. That case, too, was reportedly closed after a hurried cremation.Investigators are examining whether there is any connection between the two deaths.As the case drew attention, ACP Hrishikant, CIA personnel and Ganaur SHO reached the village and questioned family members as well as local residents.Police said the teenager's death is being investigated from a murder angle, and arrests are likely soon. ACP Rishikant said that based on the complaint lodged by the village sarpanch, a case has been registered at Ganaur police station under Sections 103(1) and 238(A) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), pertaining to murder and destruction of evidence.The investigation has been assigned to SI Jagdish.