A 9-year-old girl who went missing from Raipur village in Gandhinagar was found dead two days later, leading to the arrest of her neighbour, police said on Friday. The accused, 36-year-old Anilkumar Raymalbhai Devipujak, allegedly kidnapped and murdered the child over an old dispute with her family.
The girl went missing from her home on the morning of November 12, shortly after her parents had left for work. Police launched an extensive search using CCTV footage, drones, and multiple teams but found no clue until November 13, when a plastic bag lying in an open plot near her house raised suspicion. The child’s body was discovered inside.Investigators from the LCB, SOG, forensic teams and a dog squad joined the probe. During questioning, police identified Anilkumar as a suspect, citing past quarrels with the family.
According to officers, he confessed to kidnapping the child, taking her to his home, strangling her, and hiding the body in a plastic bag behind his house. He allegedly shifted the bag later to avoid detection.
Anilkumar was arrested and booked for kidnapping, murder and destruction of evidence under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. A detailed post-mortem is being conducted as Dabhoda police continue the investigation.