During the night between Friday and Saturday, a 7‑year‑old girl’s body was discovered in the basement of a construction‑stage mall in Ghaziabad’s Raj Nagar Extension, sending shockwaves through the city. The victim hailed from a migrant family of construction workers from Bihar, who had been living in temporary camps near the site for years.

According to the mother, the child went missing between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM on Friday, and her body was found at approximately 1:00 AM. CCTV footage captured two individuals removing the girl, raising serious concerns of abduction and murder.

Senior police officials, along with forensic teams, arrived at the scene shortly after the distress call. Investigators discovered that the child had been fatally struck with an iron rod. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Priyashri Pal confirmed that multiple suspects were detained for interrogation and that an autopsy was conducted to determine the exact cause of death.

Legally, the incident has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Dhawal Jaiswal emphasized that the case is being treated with the highest priority and that a formal FIR has been filed.

The community’s reaction has been one of fear and outrage, with many demanding stricter safety measures around construction sites. The incident underscores the urgent need for robust security protocols in rapidly developing urban areas.