The main accused in the alleged rape and murder of a six-year-old girl in Greater Noida was killed in a police encounter during an operation to recover a weapon believed to have been used in the crime, officials said on Saturday.
The incident took place in the Ecotech 3 police station area, where police had taken the accused to a location after questioning him about the alleged crime. According to the police, the accused had provided information regarding the weapon and claimed that it had been hidden in bushes near a police outpost.
The accused was taken to the location as part of the investigation and recovery process. Police said that the situation turned violent after he allegedly attempted to attack the police team and opened fire using a concealed pistol.
Police personnel retaliated, and the accused sustained gunshot injuries during the exchange of fire. He was subsequently taken for medical treatment, where he was declared dead, according to officials.
The encounter came shortly after the accused was taken into custody in connection with the death of the six-year-old girl, whose killing had triggered serious concern in the Greater Noida area.
CCTV Footage and Other Leads Helped Police Identify Suspect
The investigation into the case gained momentum after police examined CCTV footage and collected information from different sources. These leads allegedly helped investigators identify the main suspect and trace his movements.
The child had gone missing before her body was later recovered, leading police to launch an extensive investigation. Authorities examined footage from cameras in and around the area and questioned several people as part of efforts to establish the sequence of events.
Police eventually detained the suspect for questioning. During the investigation, he allegedly provided information about the location where the weapon connected to the crime had been concealed.
Officials said the accused claimed that the weapon had been hidden near the D-Park police outpost. A police team then took him to the location to recover the alleged weapon and verify his statement.
Recovery Operation Turns Violent, Police Say
According to the police version, the accused attempted to take advantage of the situation after reaching the recovery location. Officials alleged that he pushed police personnel and managed to access a pistol that had been concealed in the area.
Police said he then opened fire at the team.
The officers returned fire, resulting in the accused suffering serious injuries. He was rushed to a hospital, but doctors later declared him dead.
The police have maintained that the encounter occurred after the accused allegedly fired at officers during the weapon recovery operation.
Investigation Into Crime Continues
While the main accused has died, the investigation into the alleged rape and murder remains significant as police continue to examine the evidence collected during the probe.
Investigators are expected to rely on physical evidence, CCTV footage, witness statements and forensic examination to reconstruct the circumstances surrounding the child’s disappearance and death.
Police are also examining whether any additional person had knowledge of the crime or played any role before or after the incident. Officials have not indicated that the investigation has been closed following the death of the accused.
The recovery of evidence and the findings of forensic examinations are expected to remain important in establishing the complete sequence of events.
Case Raises Serious Concerns
The death of the six-year-old girl and the subsequent police encounter have drawn widespread attention because of the seriousness of the allegations and the speed with which the investigation developed.
The case highlights the importance of CCTV surveillance, forensic evidence and rapid investigative coordination in crimes involving missing children and serious offences against minors.
Police said the investigation was strengthened through a combination of CCTV footage and other intelligence inputs that helped them narrow down the identity of the suspect.
As authorities continue their investigation, further details are expected to emerge regarding the alleged crime, the evidence recovered during the probe and the circumstances surrounding the police encounter.
The case remains under investigation, with authorities expected to complete all required legal and procedural steps related to both the alleged crime and the encounter.