Panipat shocker: Woman 'psycho killer' arrested after confessing to murder of four children, including her own son
PTC Web Desk: In a shocking revelation, the Haryana Police on Wednesday arrested a woman accused of killing four children over the past two years, including her own six-year-old son and niece. The woman, identified as Poonam, wife of Naveen from Bhawad village in Sonepat district, allegedly confessed during interrogation that she targeted “beautiful children” because she could not tolerate anyone appearing more attractive than her own kids.
According to the police, Poonam admitted that she murdered all four children using the same method: holding their heads underwater to make the deaths appear as accidental drownings. The case came to light after suspicion arose during the fourth incident, prompting a detailed investigation that eventually exposed her involvement in multiple killings.
The police said the accused had developed a psychological obsession with eliminating children she believed looked more appealing than her own. She ensured the murders resembled natural or accidental deaths, strategically choosing locations with water tubs or containers.
First two killings in 2023
In 2023, Poonam allegedly killed her sister-in-law’s daughter and later her own six-year-old son. According to her confession, the boy witnessed his cousin being drowned in a bathtub. Fearing that he would reveal the truth, she drowned him in the same manner.
To mislead the family, she fabricated a story claiming both children accidentally reached the water container while playing and drowned together. As her own son had also died, no one suspected her involvement at the time.
Third murder in 2025
The police said in August 2025, Poonam killed another young girl at Siwah village using the same drowning technique. This incident, too, was initially treated as a tragic accident.
Fourth murder exposes chain of killings
The fourth and final case occurred on December 1 at Naultha village during a family wedding. The victim, six-year-old Vidhi, was attending a relative’s wedding with her family. Her grandfather, retired Sub-Inspector Pal Singh, had earlier raised doubts that the death did not seem accidental.
On the day of the incident, Vidhi went missing for several minutes. She was later found dead in a storeroom on the first floor of the house, her head submerged in a water tub while her feet were still on the floor. Pal Singh immediately alleged foul play and lodged a complaint, following which the police began a thorough inquiry.
The police investigation soon pointed towards Poonam, who was present at the wedding as Vidhi’s aunt (chachi). After sustained questioning, she confessed not only to this murder but also to the earlier three.
Based on the complaint and subsequent investigation, the Panipat police arrested the accused and registered a murder case. Officials said psychological evaluation and further interrogation were underway to understand the extent of her criminal behaviour and whether more victims could be involved.
- With inputs from agencies
