Child Drowns Toddler Over Chocolate Dispute in Madhya Pradesh

A 12-year-old girl allegedly drowned a four-year-old boy in a water tank in Madhya Pradesh's Mandsaur district following a dispute over a chocolate.

What Happened

The incident occurred on October 26 after the girl took a chocolate from the young boy, leading the boy's mother to scold her. The girl stayed upset for several days before taking the child to her house rooftop, pushing him into a water tank, and covering the tank with a stone slab. The victim's parents reported him missing when he did not return, prompting police to search the area and ask neighbours to check rooftops and water bodies. The girl's father found the body in the rooftop water tank nearly three hours later, unaware of his daughter's involvement at the time. Police later questioned neighbourhood children, and the 12-year-old allegedly confessed to the act.

Legal Action

Police registered an FIR on October 28 under the Juvenile Justice Act following a post-mortem examination that confirmed the circumstances of the death. Authorities produced the girl before a court, which sent her to a government juvenile home while legal proceedings continue under juvenile justice provisions.

Context

Cases involving minors in serious crimes are handled through specialised juvenile justice systems in India to ensure rehabilitation rather than standard adult imprisonment. Disputes between neighbours living in close proximity can sometimes escalate unexpectedly when children are involved.