12-yr-old girl's body, half-eaten by crocodiles, found; stepdad suspect

BHOPAL: In a complex case that surfaced in Gwalior, police are struggling to piece together final moments of a 12-year-old girl whose partial remains were recovered days after she went missing. The child's stepfather, now under detention, claimed the girl died by suicide inside their home and he secretly disposed of the body in Bhind's Sindh river out of fear of "social stigma" and police action.

Investigators, however, are treating his version with caution.

Superintendent of police Dharamveer Yadav said they are trying to ascertain whether the child died by suicide or was the scene manipulated to conceal murder. Was the body mutilated before being dumped, or were injuries caused later by crocodiles in the river?

The girl, described as bright student with excellent academic record, studied in class 5 and lived in Gwalior's Sirol area. She was reported missing on May 25 by her stepfather. Nearly a week later, on Friday night, police recovered her body from Mau area of Bhind district near riverbanks.

Remains were found severely mutilated, with many suspecting crocodiles may have consumed substantial portions.

Police are attempting to scientifically establish identity through DNA sampling before determining exact cause of death. Police suspicion deepened after contradictions surfaced in stepfather's account.

Family members told investigators the man allegedly threatened wife and girl's younger siblings, instructing them to remain silent.

"We are questioning both mother and stepfather. His confession cannot be accepted at face value. It is a challenging investigation," the SP told TOI.