Two arrested for murdering 5-year-old in Delhi

Two men have been arrested for the kidnapping and murder of a five-year-old boy whose body was found April 25, police said Monday. One of the accused is the child's uncle.

Amit Gupta, the child's 30-year-old paternal uncle, and his 28-year-old partner Rehman abducted the child, Vasu, from outside his house in east Delhi's Brahmpuri area on the evening of April 24.

The boy before leaving home had reportedly informed his mother that he was going to meet Gupta to collect a gift.

This information led police to interrogate the suspect who finally confessed to the crime, saying he and his partner were in need of money to clear their debts.

Police said the duo drugged Vasu and held him hostage at Gupta's house in the same locality. While Rehman kept a watch over the boy, Gupta acted innocent and showed he was assisting the police in the hunt.

When the boy became conscious, he raised an alarm. Rehman then covered his mouth which led to the child being smothered to death.

The duo then disposed of the body on the Wazirabad Road in the early hours of April 25.

Gupta had a mobile phone repairing business and was under a debt of Rs.20 lakh. He decided to kidnap Vasu and demand ransom from his father Mukesh, who runs a garment shop.