A disturbing case has emerged from northwest Delhi after the decomposed body of a teenage girl was found in an open field in the Swaroop Nagar area. Police said the girl had allegedly been sexually assaulted and stabbed to death before her body was abandoned near Kushak Road.

The case came to light on the morning of September 13, when local residents informed Delhi Police about a body lying in a field. According to police, stray dogs had reached the body, which was already in an advanced state of decomposition. The condition of the remains was reportedly so severe that investigators could not immediately determine the victim’s gender.

Police later identified the deceased as a teenage girl. Different reports published on September 18 have described her age as 16 or 17, reflecting an inconsistency in early reporting. Police said she had allegedly been gang-raped and stabbed before her body was dumped in the field.

Investigators said the girl was acquainted with the people now being held in connection with the case. According to the police version, she had travelled with them in a tempo on the day of the incident. The group allegedly spent time together before the assault and killing.

The investigation initially faced a major challenge because there appeared to be no direct eyewitness to the crime. The victim had also not been reported missing by her family. Police said the family told investigators that she would sometimes leave home and return after several days.

Investigators therefore turned to technical evidence and surveillance footage. More than 50 CCTV cameras covering the suspected route and surrounding areas were examined. During the analysis, police noticed a tempo moving around the relevant area at the time connected to the crime.

The vehicle’s registration number was initially difficult to identify because of darkness and poor visibility. Investigators nevertheless followed the vehicle’s movement through different CCTV locations and eventually traced it to Khadda Colony in the Swaroop Nagar area.

The tempo driver was questioned, and police said his interrogation helped investigators identify other suspects. Four people were subsequently apprehended, including three juveniles. The adult accused has been identified by police as Shivam alias Sudama alias Chuchu.

Police said two knives allegedly connected with the killing, clothing allegedly worn by the suspects and the tempo were recovered. The authorities have registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

The investigation remains ongoing. Police are examining forensic and technical evidence to establish the sequence of events and determine the individual role of each person in custody.