12-year-old girl 'beaten to death' for stealing marigold plant in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj  

A 12-year-old girl was allegedly murdered for merely a marigold plant. The heart-wrenching incident was reported from Bhaluhuruda village under Udala police limits in Mayurbhnaj district. 

The incident occurred on Wednesday night but it has now become a matter of discussion in the locality. 

According to a source, Sita Hansada of Bhaluhuruda village along with her husband had gone to Bhubaneswar due to some work leaving her daughter Saraswati Hansda in the care of her neighbour.  

Sita on Wednesday received a call from her neighbour who informed her that Saraswati was caught while stealing a marigold plant. 

Sensing something wrong, Sita and her husband cut short their work and returned to their village the same night only to know that their daughter had ended her life by hanging with a saree in front of their house. By the time they reached, the police had already reached the spot and brought down the body. 

Demanding justice, Sita alleged her neighbour had thrashed her daughter to death and then hanged her body to pass it off as a case of suicide. 

“They thrashed her to death for stealing marigold and green chilly plants. Can a small child like her commit suicide by hanging? They hanged the body to make it seem like a suicide case.  Had she stolen the plants, they should have waited for us. We would have compensated their loss. Instead of that, they thrashed her to death. I want justice,” said Sita. 

On the basis of Sita’s allegations, the police have registered a case and launched an investigation.