Woman held for abducting, killing step daughter

NEW DELHI: A woman has been arrested here for abducting and murdering her six-year-old step daughter to gain her first husband's property, police said on Monday.

Praveen, 30, was arrested Sunday from northeast Delhi for kidnapping and killing Shabana on Friday.

Police said Praveen took the girl to a cemetery, forced soil into Shabana's mouth and closed it with her hands, suffocating her. The six-year-old choked to death.

Praveen then removed the child's undergarments to mislead the police that she was raped and murdered.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (northeast Delhi) Jaspal Singh said medical reports confirmed that the girl was not raped.

Police said Praveen got married to Aziz in 1992 and they subsequently had four children. They were divorced in 1996 and she married Mohammed Arif, who is presently in jail.

Aziz later married Nahida in 2001 and Shabana was their daughter. Nahida died following an illness after which Aziz and Praveen were in touch again.

"On suspicion, Parveen was interrogated and she broke down. She confessed to killing Shabana. Praveen said she remained annoyed with her stepdaughter and usually beat her. Aziz scolded her and about 15 days ago threatened that he would bequeath all his property to Shabana," Singh said.