In Panipat, Haryana, the police have detained a woman accused of killing four innocent children due to jealousy and mental abnormalities. Shockingly, her own son was among the victims. According to the police, the accused, Poonam, specifically targeted children who appeared beautiful or charming, drowning them in tubs, bathroom cisterns, or small water containers.
How Was She Caught?
During a wedding ceremony on December 1 in Noultha village, six-year-old Vidhi was found dead in a tub under suspicious circumstances. The child's height was significantly greater than the tub, raising doubts about the incident. Taking the matter seriously, the police suspected the woman, leading to a chilling revelation during interrogation.
Why Did the Police Suspect?
Following the incident in Noultha village, police arrived at the scene to find Vidhi's body in the tub. It seemed unlikely she could have drowned in such a small tub. Moreover, the bathroom door was locked from the outside. Reviewing nearby CCTV footage, Poonam was the only one entering and leaving the house. Based on the family's complaints, police interrogated Poonam, who confessed to killing Vidhi and admitted to previously drowning three other children, including her own son.
Poonam's Hang-Up with Beauty
Panipat SP Bhupendra Singh explained that Poonam had a psychological disorder and burned with envy at the sight of beautiful children, believing no one should surpass her in attractiveness. This obsession provoked her to plan gruesome acts of murder.
The Shocking Truth Behind Four Murders
The accused admitted to the police that so far, she had killed four children just because they were considered ‘beautiful’ or ‘attention-grabbing’.
Poonam’s Trail of Murders
In 2023, in the village of Bahod, Sonepat, Poonam drowned her niece in a water cistern to keep her actions unsuspecting. To cover her tracks further, she drowned her own son in the same manner. At that time, the family dismissed these incidents as tragic accidents, moving on with their lives. In 2025, during a visit to her paternal home in the village of Siwah, Poonam drowned another niece. Once again, these were seen as accidental, and no suspicions were raised. Her modus operandi was methodical drownings disguised as tragedies, leading the family to accept them as such.
Joy After Murder
Police stated that after committing the murders, the woman exhibited unusual happiness. During questioning, she revealed feeling jealousy towards children who appeared more attractive than her or her child.
Unveiling the Crime in 36 Hours
Police unveiled the entire case within just 36 hours. The SP described it as intensely sensitive and horrifying, as the accused did not spare her own son in her efforts to hide her crimes.
Woman in Police Custody
The woman is now in custody, undergoing a mental health evaluation. Police are also investigating whether she targeted other children. This case has stirred significant concern throughout Haryana, marking potentially the first instance of serial killings driven by envy against children by a woman.
