Overview
- Police said the child went missing on Sunday afternoon and was found dead near a mobile tower about 300 metres from her home, with the body sent to Malegaon General Hospital for post-mortem.
- Children who had been playing with the victim told officers she was last seen with the suspect, which led to his detention.
- The accused was identified as 24-year-old Vijay Khairnar of Dongrale and was produced in court, which remanded him to police custody until November 20.
- Investigators reported that the suspect confessed, stating he killed the child to prevent his act from being exposed, according to a Malegaon Taluka police inspector.
- Reports of the killing prompted protests and a blockade on the Malegaon–Kusumba Road before police restored order, while villagers and a BJP leader urged a fast-track trial and legal support for the family.