Pune: Stepmother Allegedly Subjects Her 5-Year-Old Stepdaughter To Torture, Resulting To Death

Recently in Uttam Nagar, a tragic incident was brought to light where a stepmother allegedly subjected her five-year-old stepdaughter to torture, resulting in her death. The accused attempted to misrepresent it as an epilepsy attack, but the post-mortem conducted by doctors at Sassoon General Hospital revealed that the child had been beaten to death. The Uttam Nagar police have arrested Ritika Rajesh Anand (36) and Rajesh Anand (38), both residing in the Dhawade building in Uttam Nagar, in connection with the murder of their daughter, Shweta.

Rajesh Anand brought his daughter, Shweta, to Sassoon Hospital on February 23, where doctors declared her dead before administering any treatment. However, during the inquest of panchnama, both doctors and police discovered burns on various parts of the child's body. The post-mortem report indicated that the cause of death was a head injury. During the initial inquiry, Rajesh Anand informed the police that his second wife, Ritika, used to beat Shweta.

Rajesh further disclosed that two days before the incident, Ritika had burned the child. On February 23, Ritika called him and informed him that Shweta had suddenly lost consciousness, and he took her to the hospital. Consequently, the Uttam Nagar police charged Ritika Anand with section 302 (murder), 182 (providing false information to cause harm to another person with the intention to cause a public servant to use his lawful power).

Following the father's negligence being brought to light, Rajesh Anand was arrested by the police in connection with his daughter's murder. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act has been invoked against him. The police stated that as Shweta's biological and legal father, Rajesh had a responsibility to care for and protect her. However, he intentionally neglected her, and his carelessness and negligence ultimately led to her torture and murder.