The main accused in the kidnapping and murder of a four-year-old girl in Gujarat's Anand district died after police opened fire when he allegedly attacked officers with a knife and attempted to escape while in custody, police said on Monday.
Suresh Parmar was arrested by Borsad Rural Police within hours of the crime and was subsequently handed over to the Anand Local Crime Branch for further investigation into the girl's abduction and murder.
According to the police, the incident took place in the early hours of Sunday while Parmar was being taken to Vasad as part of the investigation.
During the journey, he reportedly complained of vomiting, prompting officers to stop the police vehicle by the roadside.
Police said that after stepping out of the vehicle, Parmar suddenly produced a knife and attacked the escorting officers in an attempt to flee.
Two police personnel, identified as Rajveersinh and Mahipalsinh, sustained injuries in the attack and were later admitted to the hospital for treatment.
Police said the accused ignored repeated warnings to surrender. "Despite repeated warnings by Police Sub-Inspector Rana to drop the weapon, the accused continued attacking the police personnel," officials said.
Officers then opened fire in self-defence, injuring Parmar. "The injured accused was taken to Karamsad Hospital, where he died during treatment," police said.
The two injured police personnel continue to receive medical care.
The encounter came a day after the arrest of Parmar in connection with the death of a four-year-old girl whose body was found near Vasad railway station in Anand district.
The child had reportedly gone missing while her family, which had recently arrived in the area, was living at the railway station and surviving by collecting recyclable waste.
The discovery of the girl's body triggered public outrage and raised suspicions of sexual assault. Senior police officials, including Vadodara Division Railway Police Deputy Superintendent G.S. Baraiya, had earlier said preliminary findings suggested a heinous offence, but stressed that any confirmation of sexual assault would depend on the findings of the post-mortem examination and forensic evidence.
Police have been investigating the case under relevant provisions relating to kidnapping and murder, while the exact nature of the offence is expected to be established through forensic and medical reports.
--IANS
