7-Year-Old Daughter of Migrant Laborers Raped and Murdered in UP Mall Basement; Two Detained

The girl's body was found in the basement of the under-construction mall at around 1:00 AM on July 11, hours after she was reported missing the previous evening. Police have detained two individuals for questioning, though formal arrests have not yet been made.

The victim lived with her parents, both migrant laborers, in a temporary shelter on the construction site. She was last seen playing near the shelter on the evening of July 10 before she disappeared.

A police official said the preliminary investigation suggests sexual assault, and the post-mortem report is awaited to confirm the cause of death. The basement, where the body was discovered, is part of the unfinished structure and was not in active use.

Local authorities have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The detained individuals are being interrogated to establish their role in the crime.

The incident has sparked outrage among the migrant worker community at the site, with many demanding swift justice. Police have increased security in the area and are reviewing CCTV footage from the mall and nearby locations.