Murder accused ordered to submit educational certificates

Mumbai: The police has sought the educational certificates of the two accused arrested for kidnapping and murdering a three-and-a-half-year-old girl. The police wants to determine the age of the accused despite the victim’s family claiming that they are over 18 years of age.

On December 24, the police arrested two teenagers, who had on December 5 kidnapped a three-and-a-half-year-old minor Junera Khan while she was playing outside her house.  Hours after kidnapping her, the accused strangled the minor and then stuffed her body in a resin bag. After collecting details of victim’s father’s call records, the police arrested the accused.The victim's father Mumtaz has alleged that the accused are above the age of 18 and had lied about their age to the police.

As a part of the investigation, the police has sought permission from the Juvenile Justice Court to conduct an age verification test on the two accused. “While we are waiting for the court’s nod, we have started collecting documents that reflect their birth dates,” said a police officer. The officer added, “We have asked the college to send the documents of accused’s school leaving and educational certificate.” Meanwhile, the police and the parents of the victim have filed a petition with the Juvenile Court, saying that the accused should be tried as adults under the provisions of the new Juvenile Justice Act keeping in mind their heinous act.