Tappal (Aligarh): Shilpa is impassive. Her eyes have run dry. Surrounded by a dozen women at her home in Aligarh’s Tappal village, all she can do is stare at a mobile phone photo of her two-year-old daughter Twinkle, who was allegedly killed last week over a Rs 10,000 loan.
“They butchered my only child,” Shilpa said, as the women fanned her. Someone tried to offer her water, but she kept mumbling, her gaze fixated on the phone.
Contrary to initial reports and social media speculation, Twinkle wasn’t raped. But the brutality inflicted upon the child is likely to haunt her parents and the village of Tappal forever.
Twinkle was Shilpa and her husband Banwari Lal Sharma’s only daughter, born five years into marriage, after several medical complications. Her death comes just eight months after Shilpa suffered a miscarriage and lost a fetus she’d carried for nine months.
The couple last saw their daughter alive on 30 May, a Thursday, when she left the house around 8.30 am to play with her friends. Forty-eight hours later, her decomposed, maggot-infested body was dragged out of a garbage dump near her house by stray dogs, who then ravaged the body further.
Her eyes were popping out, right arm had been cut off, left leg, ribs, nose fractured, and the corpse nibbled by insects and rodents, in some parts down to her bone.
Failing to get that image out of her head, Shilpa rubbed her eyes vigorously and shook her head every five minutes. “The stench of her body is still fresh in my nose. That image of her lying in a garbage heap, in that condition, haunts me,” she said, “I do not think I can ever get it out of my head.”
According to Aligarh police, the child was abducted by two men, Zahid and Aslam, who then tortured and murdered her. The reason: The duo owed her grandfather Rs 10,000 and had had an argument with him just two days before. In the heat of the argument, they had warned him that they would teach him a lesson.
The two have been booked, among other sections, under the National Security Act, which is generally reserved for terror-related offences.
Also read: India’s justice system needs complete overhaul, says Justice Gogoi on child sexual abuse cases
Mounted loudspeakers over bike and toured village for 24 hours
Twinkle’s family alleges that Aligarh police waited 32 hours before taking action on their complaint. According to Banwari Lal Sharma, he rushed to the Tappal police station soon after they discovered Twinkle missing, but no one listened to him.
“She must have gone to someone’s house. She will return,” he was allegedly told.
“Police took my contact number and told me that I should go home and they will call me in case they find her,” he said.
“They did not take any written complaint, nor did they care to ask about the appearance of my daughter, what she was wearing. So, I thought, I will have to do this myself,” he added.
So, he gathered a few of his friends and went to all temples and mosques in the vicinity, asking them to make announcements about his daughter being missing.
When no news came for a couple of hours, he took his bike, mounted loudspeakers on it, and went across the village making announcements.
“I was on the road all day on 30 May, doing door-to-door searches and making announcements, but to no avail,” he said. “The next day, at 9.15 am, I again went to the police station and requested them to lodge a complaint. It was only at 4.30 pm that police registered a case, that too after much persuasion,” Sharma added.
Police subsequently formed a search party. However, despite combing through the village, police were not able to find Twinkle.
The yellow capri
On 1 June, Sharma told ThePrint, police came to him and asked him to go over CCTV footage with them.
“All day, they showed us CCTV footage from different locations without making any effort to find her. We could not spot her in the footage,” he added, “I kept looking for the yellow capri she was wearing when I last saw her, but could not spot her anywhere. The entire day was wasted.”
On 2 June, a woman who collects garbage spotted Twinkle’s maggot-infested body as dogs fed on it at a dump, and raised an alarm.
“The dogs dragged the body out of the garbage bin. I could not recognise my own daughter as her face was completely disfigured,” said Sharma, “All I could recognise was her yellow capri.”
According to the autopsy report, Twinkle died of “shock due to ante-mortem injuries”, or wounds inflicted before death. She was probably beaten for as many as eight hours before she died.
“The autopsy made it clear that the girl was killed on 30th itself. She was hit by blunt objects, thrashed and tortured,” a police officer investigating the case says.
“Her legs and ribs were fractured and one arm amputated. The body was then hidden in a room, under a hay stack, because of which it decomposed in the heat,” he adds.
According to police, the accused probably dumped the body near the garbage heap the same day it was discovered.
Also read: Kathua rape & murder verdict Monday, defence has claimed victim’s community framed accused
‘Found sufficient clues’
As villagers gathered around the garbage dump after the body was spotted, Twinkle’s grandfather saw Zahid passing by. The argument of a few days before came back to him and he was immediately suspicious that the child may have been killed by Zahid and Aslam.
“He then raised an alarm and the people around caught hold of Zahid and informed police,” Sharma said. “Zahid was handed over to police and a case registered against him and his brother.”
According to police, they, along with a team from the Forensic Science Laboratory, had found sufficient clues to prove the girl was killed in the backyard of Zahid’s house.
However, questions remain: Why didn’t police examine the room, barely 100 metres from the girl’s house, during their door-to-door search? Why would the accused dump the body in a garbage heap right in front of their house?
But police are certain. “There is no doubt that the two killed the girl and then dumped her body to decompose,” Aligarh senior superintendent of police Akash Kulhari said, “However, she was not sexually assaulted. No acid was thrown on her face.”
“Police made thorough attempts to search for the girl but, unfortunately, her dead body was found on 2 June,” he added.
“Zahid and Aslam have been arrested and we are going to impose the NSA, so that they do not get bail,” he said, “Also, we are requesting the court to fast-track the case for speedy justice.”
The NSA allows detention of a person to prevent him or her from acting in any manner prejudicial to the security of India, the relations of India with foreign countries, the maintenance of public order, or the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the community.
In this case, the NSA was invoked because of the nature of the case and the potential it has to disrupt and disturb law and order: Half the population in Tappal is Muslim, and the case could potentially take on communal overtones, as it did in the 2018 rape and murder of an eight-year-old in Kathua.
The family of the accused, including Zahid’s wife, mother, brother and sister, have fled their home in the wake of the crime. A police team are now on the lookout for them.
“If the girl’s body was kept in the backyard, it is certain Zahid’s family knew about it, which makes them party to the crime. We have sent teams to make more arrests,” another police officer involved in the investigation said.
“One of the accused, Aslam, was arrested previously for allegedly raping his own daughter,” he added.
Also read: Rahul & Priyanka lead protests against brutal child murder in Aligarh, Kejriwal gets patriotic
‘It is not about Hindu-Muslim’
Back at Twinkle’s home, one of the dozen women trying to console Shilpa appeared agitated. “It is us Hindus who are sitting quietly even after seeing our daughter fed upon by dogs. What if we decide to take revenge?” she said.
But Twinkle’s aunt Geeta Sharma immediately countered her, “It is not about Hindu-Muslim. Let us not shift our focus from the crime that has been committed… Whoever has done it cannot be a human being, irrespective of what religion he follows. Even a Hindu could have done it.”
“We just want that, whoever has done it, should not be spared,” she added. The women surrounding her nod in agreement.
“You are right. Despite a 50 per cent Muslim population, we have been co-existing for so many years,” said one of the women, “Why would this happen now?”
This sad incident made me cry . A two year old child knows nothing. Indian judiciary system needs to take prompt and stringent actions towards such heionous and dastardly crimes. Its time we awaken our system so that these innocent and hapless kids are safe. Punishment should be given to both the culprits ,in public so that it is a lesson for other immoral men. How gruesome, shameful.
U will have to pay for your crime
Policemen, who were callous, should not only be sacked, but should be jailed for dereliction of duty
They must be beaten up to death the way they did to the child and must be throw away in the garbage and eaten up by astray dogs and insects it is what they actually desrve no phansi can give justise such steps must be taken up by our laws….don’t know how long children has to suffer for any examples reason….i dont beleive one of culprit raped his own daughter and he is still alive why??If he got killed earlier may be this incident will not had happened….May Allah give those shaytaan very painful punishment in duniya and aakhira such people are the real terrorists and must be eradicated from society
This is very heart breaking to read up such cases coming in light. What is India doing? Will the newly formed government give thier attension to such brutality? Because all these years we have only witnessed more number of terrorists getting hanged than these kind of culprits who should be hanged too. I think some where Mr. Modi should react to such crimes and think about the laws that should be filtered thoroughly rather than just promoting other things. It would make a great deal of satisfaction and happiness to all if he does so.
Fed up of hearing such news …where has humanity gone …why we are getting away from our values and moral …why we are becoming demons .. when this will stop. I also have a two year old daughter and at this point of time I am shivering and asking myself a question .. have I done right to bring her in this world ….really … Shame on us we so called humans
Dear ANANYA BHARDWAJ,
Wished not to point it but without pointing it’s being hard for me.
“Garbage dump where Twinkle Sharma’s body was being fed upon my dogs | Ananya Bhardwaj/ThePrint”
The sentence followed by the dump picture shows “MY” INSTEAD OF “BY.”
Hoped you would correct the issue promptly.but after seeing a day passed and no action taken to change it, I’m writing it.
So wish you would change it now..
No more laws should be implemented for this hienous crime. Hang them in front of thousands so that a message spread for the future supposed to do a crime committers.
The judiciary should set up a law to punish by hanging culprits of naive children. Before that unbearable torturing them.
You should give those men a lesson of their life hang them with amputated hands and legs ….beat them up for 8 hours until their eyes pop out ….and feed them to the dogs .humanity is long gone at least make them feel what they have done . Those irresponsible police officers should go hang themselves why do they even do the job they have no dedication for ….they should hang themselves out of shame and regret . My prayers for twinkle …..
The Nation need.: 1. Safe & peaceful living. 2. Clean potable water to all. 3 Proper solid waste management to keep Nation clean. 4 Protection of all rivers , Canals , streams , beaches etc. & More hanging bridges to facilitate water flows, 5. EMPLOYMENT. 6Education & medical facilities .All MPs , Ministers, Govt senior officers should use only Govt Hospitals , it should not be left unattended for poor only.
How can one take out their revenge on a innocent child. What was her mistake ?? These criminals should be given life imprisonment or hanged till death. They don’t value life. Can’t even think of a child of two yr going through such torture. These culprits are not humans …my heart goes out for the parents.god give them strength to fight for justice and hope justice prevails. Rest in peace little angel
The culprits must be thrown before fierce dogs
The two accused should be till death ,should not be spared in society.
They should be beaten to death the same way, what they did to the child. Killed her brutally for merely 10000 rupees. Insane!
I will give you 20000, can return back the child alive.
കുട്ടികൾക്കെതിരെയുള്ള കുറ്റകൃത്യങ്ങൾക്കുള്ള ശിക്ഷ അതിക്രൂരവും കഠിനവുമാക്കണം…. നിയമങ്ങൾ പൊളിച്ചെഴുതുക തന്നെ വേണം….
മനുഷ്യാവകാശങ്ങൾ കുറ്റവാളികൾക്ക് ബാധകമാക്കരുത്….
ഇത്തരക്കാർക്കുവേണ്ടി മനുഷ്യാവകാശം കുരച്ചുകൊണ്ടുവരുന്ന നായകളെ സമൂഹം ഒറ്റപ്പെടുത്തണം….
#justice_for_twinkle
????
Those two culprits must be given a harsh treatment for their deeds
Hanged till death is the answer for these idiots please We need justice.
Waiting for our Honourable Judiciary to debate whether this falls under the rarest of the rare category or not before awarding death penalty. Waiting for those human rights groups to get the Court opened at midnight so that their mercy petitions can be heard. Waiting for the Supreme Court to upheld the death penalty and the President to reject the clemency petition which will take years and drain the resources of the parents of this innocent kid, while the monsters who did this will eat and live in custody at taxpayers money. If Nirbhaya’s rapists are not yet hanged till now, then what hope is there for justice in a country where procedural bureaucracies is adored much higher than speedy delivery of justice. Sometimes, extra-judicial killing via fake encounters is the only way to deliver justice and act as a strong deterrent to these ghastly crimes.
It is such a disgraceful act that the brutality is nothing less than a hellish crime. Just thinking of even an instance of what that girl must have gone through, makes us shudder with fear. What has happened to us? Humanity is the greatest religion of all and never does any religion teach us to commit such brutal acts of hurt to any living being. What we grown up to be. God, if you do exist and are fair, help us all.
They can’t be a human beings and culprits must be punished similarly like they did with the kid,
The culprit should be hanged publicly in the same village. No mercy should be shown to the culprit
I haven’t heard of such inhumanity in all my life. I wish these animals be made an example of.
The worst possible punishment be meted out to them and in the swiftest manner possible.
Both the accused should be punished and tortured same they did with the girl… And then they should be hanged till death… I pray to god for this…
The two of the accused, must be hanged in the public area or hand over them to the public and let them decide what they want to do with those bastards. Their each and every body part should be thrashed in the same way they did with that little girl. Cut their parts and put salt and let them die slowly. This is the best punishment. Because we all know our administration is too slow to give justice. So its better that we take law in our own hands.
This is unforgivable… what kind of animal would have done this to a 2 year old baby…no this cannot be tolerated… jail time or even death penalty is not enough…they should suffer everyday they should be tortured…period!
When a person kills a 2 year baby. He is no longer a human being. He is an animal and a threat to humans. He should be killed infront of entire public brutally. Then only there will be fear among people. No one will dare to do this crime.
I was also of the opinion that these sect of people need to be taught a lesson ..but seeing them asking for capital punishment for the criminals I feel we have some hope of co existence but only if these people themselves hang the culprit publicly
I personally believe on ,eye for an eye.
Cut their hand peice by peice , irrespective of any relegion.we can’t feel the pain of mother am father.
Let’s cut Thiers both hand in woodcutting machine.they did not feel the pain when they were beating 2 year Gul.
But in India if we will say anything against accused Muslims ,we will be against entire muslims.they are not safe in India.few political will take their favour.
im Muslim but i disagree what u said in last sentence. it’s not about religion at all. it’s about crime. and very dangerous crime. they should be hanged publicly after torture as how they did with child.
The law is not strong. Nobody has fear. If law is strong and the monitering is strong. All rubbish will stop.
In kaise haramjade, Jaanwar se bhi badtar criminals Ko sare-aam sazaa Deni chahiye. Aur aisi khaufnaak sazaa honi chahiye ki dusra koi Aisa galat karne ki himmet na kare. Meri bachi hum sab tere liye buht sharminda hae. Insaaniyat kaha he. #Justice for Twinkle
Kill those ba….tds after chopping their genitals. And ir Should happen immediately .Delayed justice is denied justice
Implement Sharia Law that will put fear in people’s mind and the criminals will not dare to do such crime. Court should give death sentence to the culprits.
We want justice for twinkle. We request our PM Modi to enforce stringent laws to protect our children, women , men , senior citizens , LGBT from all mischief mongers. Severe punishment should be accorded to People who engage in such henious acts. Nothing in the world can equate to the loss and the pain that the child suffered , but it’s a big threat that we live in an around such monsters. It’s a shame to a country like India where our law and order are not in favour of the victim which is why every girl like twinkle dies in the hands of such people. Atleast now can we wake up??
The all accused be traced and should be hanged till death in the same village
The culprits should be punished publicly immediately.delayed justice does loose its impacts and causes increase of crimes in the society
Don’t leave them alive and shooted them on the spot,chapter close
It is failure of law and order enforcing authorities. Hope effective investigation serves some respite to family of the child. She is daughter of India, she is our daughter, this incident reminds the Asifa case, we want justice for twinkle.
The Kathua rape and murder was an instance of Hindutva hate crime. An instance of communal bestiality and savagery.
But this is clearly a “benign and secular” crime.
One thing is crystal clear. Whether the BJP or the Congress is in power, Hindus have to defend themselves and their families. The law and order machinery has failed us time and again irrespective of the political party in power.
True, it should not take or given the colour of a communal revenge. The deceased’s mother is balanced even in the worst loss of her life given the conditions of her motherhood!
But certainly it speaks volumes on the callousness of our police force and the near impotence of our justice system. The only hope is on Yogi Adityanathji’s tough action on criminals and mafia. But sad, that we have a Democracy’s most pliable escape system for criminals, which need more than compensated by one man’s dedication to setting the society right by being harsh in delivering justice even at the cost of his being roasted by the imbecile media, these are pretty bad times.
We want justice for Twinkle ….its very shameless news for all of us…. How could they do this to her….. Unko sbke saamne tdpaa tdpaa K moaut milni Chiye
Geeta shrama, you don’t see these kind of acts everyday from Hindus. Although some of our people did it but mostly cases are from a single community
Criminals don’t justify with religion. Don’t put crimes associated with any religion.
Bhut srm ki baat h Choti c Bchii ko bi ni chodaa…. Ase ghtiya logo ki bjhse aajtk Hum Ldkiyo ko freedom Nhi milta…… Un saalo ko jaanta K hvaale Kro… India gate K saamne ulta ltkaa kr maaro… Unko bhut buri moaut honi chiye taaki duniya Yaad rkhe or Fir Koi hevaan peeda na e ho… We want justice for Twinkle sharma
Hanged those bastard……
Shame less act ,The two devil’s and who ever involved should be given severely punished.
If it’s not about Hindu and Muslim, why did all major media avoiding this news….? If the same happens to a Muslim girl all media would roar foul and filthy alleging Muslim don’t have security in this intolerant country. All Muslim actors would cry they are ashamed of being an Indian.
Mrs. Geetha Sharma showed rare courage and immense maturity in nipping the bud of communal flare up. However, justice should be done and not a single person be spared including family members, if found guilty. Nothing less than hanging be awarded to culprits. This should happen before the kid’s next birthday.
Geeta Sharma, You are a gem.
You are a stone.
Indeed, she robbed you of such a wonderful political opportunity to capitalise on.
There should be a law in lndia for such cases, where the inhuman accused should be brutally tortured till death!
There is a need to repeat 2002 on national level
I pray people like you get wisdom and brains and become patriotic i.e. follow the constitution.
People like you are cancer for nation. Do hell with constitution. When there will be no hindus, what will u do with constitution. Stuck up your hole.
People like you are cancer for nation. May you be born in minority community in your next birth.
Better mind your words.. You deserve to be prosecuted under NSA.
Absolutely. Its the need of the hour.
The govt and the law and order machinery will not defend us irrespective of the political party in power.
Culprits must be punished publicly and immediately without looking their cast and religion.speaking nonsense like need of Gujarat 2002 repeat is also a crime and must be condemned
Well The Print you are shameless, for you the perpetrators are still alleged.