Mother strangles 6-year-old girl in anger, step-father files complaint

A six-year-old girl, Aarushi, was allegedly strangled to death by her mother at their house in Odhav, Ahmedabad, after a domestic altercation turned violent. The child’s step father, Amitkumar Shivpal Lodhi, filed a complaint on Thursday, revealing the harrowing sequence of events that led to her tragic death.

As per the first information report lodged with the local police, the incident occurred on the afternoon of July 2. Aarushi, Class 1 student, had returned from school around noon. At approximately 3.30 pm, her mother, Usha Lodhi, asked her to do a household task. When the child refused, Usha allegedly slapped her several times and, in a fit of rage, strangled her.

Amitkumar, who works as a fabricator in Shivam Estate, Odhav, stated in his complaint that his wife called him around 4.12 pm to inform him that Aarushi had fallen asleep and was not waking up. He immediately rushed home with a colleague, only to find the girl unresponsive. She was taken to a nearby private hospital, where doctors declared her brought dead.

The family initially brought Aarushi back home, but someone from the locality informed emergency services. A 108 ambulance transported the body to Odhav’s Government Hospital, where she was formally pronounced dead around 5 pm. A post-mortem examination was subsequently conducted.

However, the situation took a disturbing turn the next morning. In a shocking confession to her husband, Usha allegedly admitted to having strangled Aarushi after slapping her in anger. Amitkumar reported this to the police and requested legal action be initiated against his wife.

The complaint also outlines the family’s background. Amitkumar, originally from Uttar Pradesh, has been living in Ahmedabad for over a year and a half with his second wife Usha and her child Aarushi from a previous marriage. Aarushi, the deceased, was Usha’s daughter and had been staying with the couple since their marriage.

Odhav police have registered a case and have arrested Usha. Further investigation is going on.

Authorities have taken witness statements, including from Amitkumar’s co-worker Rajeshbhai, who accompanied him on the day of the incident. Investigators are also awaiting the final post-mortem report, which will be crucial in determining the cause of death.

The tragic case has shocked residents of the Chamunda Nagar locality in Odhav, raising concerns over child abuse and domestic violence behind closed doors.