Darbhanga Reeling: Neighbor Arrested in Horrific Rape and Murder of Six-Year-Old Girl

The heart of Bihar, specifically the small village of Manigachhi in Darbhanga district, has been utterly shattered by a tragedy that's truly difficult to fathom. It's the kind of news that stops you in your tracks, leaving a profound sense of despair and anger: a precious six-year-old girl, full of life and innocence, was brutally raped and murdered. And, in a chilling twist, a neighbor, a man just 24 years old, has been apprehended and, quite shockingly, has confessed to the horrific act.

The story began to unfold on Monday evening. Like any typical day, the little girl was simply playing outside her home in Lalganj panchayat. But around 6 PM, the normalcy vanished. She went missing. Can you imagine the sheer panic that must have gripped her parents? They searched frantically, desperately hoping to find their child, before finally reporting her disappearance to the Manigachhi police station. Every parent's worst nightmare, right there.

Then came Tuesday morning, bringing with it the most devastating news imaginable. Her tiny body was discovered in a wheat field, merely 500 meters from her home. The discovery itself was heartbreaking enough, but the initial investigations quickly painted an even grimmer picture: signs pointed to rape and strangulation. It's just horrific to think about.

Local police, led by the Darbhanga SP (City) Shrivastva, moved swiftly. Their investigation soon focused on a 24-year-old neighbor named Santosh Sahni. It turns out he had been seen with the girl just before she disappeared. This crucial piece of information, coupled with other details, quickly made him the prime suspect. Villagers, naturally, were in shock and helped alert authorities once the body was found, prompting senior officials like the SP and DSP to visit the grim scene personally.

During police interrogation, Sahni reportedly broke down and confessed to the heinous crime. This confession, if true, adds another layer of betrayal and horror to an already unbearable situation. He's now facing serious charges under Sections 376 (rape) and 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code, along with relevant sections of the POCSO Act, which protects children from sexual offenses. A post-mortem examination has, of course, been conducted to gather further evidence.

The entire community is, as you might expect, reeling. The pain and outrage are palpable. The parents, understandably, are demanding nothing less than swift and absolute justice for their beloved daughter. A special police team has been assembled to ensure a thorough investigation, aiming to bring every detail to light and ensure that justice, however painful, is served. This terrible incident serves as a stark, heartbreaking reminder of the vulnerabilities our children face and the evils that can lurk even in familiar places.