Two boys, aged 12 and 10, allegedly throttled to death a five-year-old girl in the upscale area of Alipur in South Kolkata, when their molestation attempt misfired.
The boys, residents of servant quarters, were arrested on Wednesday. The murder took place on Monday.
"They were friends who knew each other. On Monday the duo took the girl to the roof of the 17th block with the intent of molesting her," said Supratim Sarkar, deputy commissioner of police (south division).
When the girl resisted their attempt and threatened to reveal the matter to her mother, an altercation followed, and then a scuffle. During the process, the girl fell and banged her head against a wall. Then she lost consciousness.
On interrogation, the boys reportedly confessed to the crime. They will be produced at a juvenile board on Friday. The police have initiated murder charges against them.
"The boys panicked and throttled her after she regained consciousness," an officer said.
When the girl did not return home, her mother lodged a police complaint. On Tuesday, when a resident went to the roof, the body was discovered.
"Such tendencies are on the rise in the 6-11 age group," said Shiladitya Ray, neuropsychiatrist.
{{/usCountry}}"Such tendencies are on the rise in the 6-11 age group," said Shiladitya Ray, neuropsychiatrist.
{{/usCountry}}"It may be attributed to exposure to multimedia."