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Solved case · 2019
Also known as Aligarh murder case
The short answer
A two-and-a-half-year-old girl went missing in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, on 30 May 2019 and was found dead in a garbage dump three days later. Police said she was abducted and killed as revenge over a monetary dispute; four people were arrested in connection with the case.
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Suggest coverage for Death of a two-year-old girl in AligarhThe case file
On 30 May 2019, a two-and-a-half-year-old girl went missing in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India. A police report was filed the following day. On 2 June 2019, her body was found in a garbage dump after stray dogs had disturbed the remains. The case caused widespread outrage and led to the spread of misinformation on social media through hashtags and posts.
On 5 June 2019, police stated that the girl had been abducted and killed as an act of revenge stemming from a monetary dispute involving her father. According to the family, the primary accused, Zahid Ali, had previously threatened them over the dispute. Police investigations indicated that Zahid lured the girl and killed her with the assistance of a man named Aslam, at the latter's home. Her body was reportedly wrapped in a dupatta belonging to Zahid's wife before being dumped.
ADG (Law and Order) Anand Kumar described the incident as "shocking" and said police would investigate the matter thoroughly. Although police ruled out rape as a cause, vaginal swabs were sent for forensic testing amid disputed claims from the victim's family that she had been raped. The SSP of police, Akash Kulhari, said the cause of death was determined through post-mortem to be choking, resulting from ante-mortem injuries.
On 7 June 2019, the investigation was handed to a six-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), which included a forensic science team and the Special Operations Group, tasked with conducting a fast-track inquiry. The POCSO Act was invoked in the case despite the post-mortem finding no evidence of sexual assault. Police also denied reports that the victim's eyes had been gouged out, and the National Security Act was invoked against the accused given the seriousness of the crime.
Forensic examination by the science laboratory in Agra reached no conclusion on sexual assault, leading police to seek further examination from a laboratory in Lucknow and the Central Forensic Science Laboratory in Chandigarh. Subsequent findings attributed the reported eye and arm injuries to postmortem decomposition and insect activity, while also documenting a fractured left leg and chest injury.
Zahid Ali and a second man, Aslam, were arrested on 4 June 2019 and confessed to killing the victim over an unpaid loan of 10,000 rupees. Zahid's wife, Shagufta (referred to in one account as Shabusta), and his brother, Mehdi Hasan, were arrested on 8 June 2019 on charges of criminal conspiracy and causing the disappearance of evidence.
7 dated entries · 2019
A two-and-a-half-year-old girl goes missing in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh.
A police report is filed regarding the missing girl.
The girl's body is found in a garbage dump after being dragged out by stray dogs.
Zahid Ali and Aslam are arrested and confess to killing the victim over an unpaid loan.
Police state the girl was abducted and killed in a revenge crime over a monetary dispute.
A six-member Special Investigation Team is formed to investigate the case.
Zahid Ali's wife, Shagufta, and brother, Mehdi Hasan, are arrested for assisting the crime.
7 named in this file
Victims first. Every legal label is set from public records and court outcomes, not from the prose.
Went missing on 30 May 2019 in Aligarh and was found dead in a garbage dump on 2 June 2019.[3]
Charged in the killing of a 2-year-old girl in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh; arrested 4 June 2019 and confessed to police that he assisted lead accused Zahid Ali in the killing (over an unpaid loan dispute), which the FIR treats as murder. No confirmed trial verdict was found in available sourcing; the case appears to remain pending.[3]
Charged with criminal conspiracy and causing disappearance of evidence, as Zahid Ali's brother, in connection with the killing of a 2-year-old girl in Aligarh; arrested 8 June 2019. No confirmed trial verdict was found in available sourcing; the case appears to remain pending.[3]
Charged with criminal conspiracy and causing disappearance of evidence, as Zahid Ali's wife, in connection with the killing of a 2-year-old girl in Aligarh; arrested 8 June 2019. No confirmed trial verdict was found in available sourcing; the case appears to remain pending.[3]
Charged with murder after being arrested on 4 June 2019 and confessing to killing the victim over an unpaid loan of 10,000 rupees; described by police as the primary accused.[3]
SSP of police who stated the cause of death was ante-mortem injuries confirmed via post-mortem as choking.[3]
ADG (Law and Order) who commented on the case and announced formation of the Special Investigation Team.[3]
3 cited
Coverage is not a source: every fact in this file rests on the records below.
Presshindustantimes.comAccessed Jul 10, 2026
Presstimesofindia.indiatimes.comAccessed Jul 10, 2026
EncyclopedicWikipediaAccessed Jul 10, 2026
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