Haryana Horror: Woman Murders Four Children Including Her Son Due to 'Beauty Complex'

New Delhi:

Poonam – the Haryana woman accused of killing four children, including her son – first attempted murder in 2021. Her initial target was her two-year-old niece, Vidhi.

Vidhi survived the first attack – when her aunt poured a large kettle of boiling tea on her face, a horrific incident her father tried to believe was accidental – but tragically fell victim to a second attack on Monday.

On Monday, Poonam allegedly drowned the six-year-old girl, who was dressed in her best clothes for a family function, in a water tub, leaving the body to be discovered by the child's grandmother.

Over a four-year period, Poonam allegedly murdered three other children, including her four-year-old son. Three of her four victims were young girls, leading police to theorize about a 'beauty complex' – that Poonam killed the girls because they were 'more beautiful' than herself.

The motive behind her son's murder remains unclear.

Police believe Shubham – killed in 2023 and the second victim – was intended as a macabre distraction to deflect suspicion from Poonam after her first murder.

Her first victim was nine-year-old Ishika, her sister-in-law's daughter, in 2023.

The third victim was eight-year-old Jia, again, authorities believe, because she was 'prettier'.

The fourth was Vidhi.

Poonam was apprehended this week.

Police sources informed NDTV that she subsequently confessed to the murders.

While details about the three previous murders haven't been disclosed, Poonam reportedly told investigators she killed Vidhi in a relative's storeroom during an extended family wedding celebration. She described gaining the child's trust, convincing her to stand in a water tub, then forcing her head underwater until she stopped struggling.

NDTV spoke with Sandeep, Vidhi's father, who called for the death penalty. "I had suspicions about her... but my family always dismissed my concerns," he stated.

"Poonam had a beauty complex and killed my daughter out of jealousy. She deserves the death penalty. We don't know how many children might have died if she hadn't been caught. Now, given the opportunity, she might target my son as well," he said tearfully.

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