Cops suspended after toddler's murder; sexual assault not ruled out

Five policemen, including an SHO, have been suspended for alleged negligence, five days after the mutilated body of a toddler was found in a garbage dump in Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh, triggering a public outrage over the brutality of the crime.

The policemen were suspended for alleged delay in registering the case after the girl was reported missing, and also for delaying the probe which eventually led to the discovery of her body on June 2, officials said.

The two-and-a-half-year-old had gone missing from Tappal township on May 30. Her body was found three days later in a garbage dump near her house.

The post-mortem examination confirmed death due to strangulation. It has not found any sign of sexual assault but this cannot be ruled out at this stage.

Replying to questions from reporters in Lucknow, ADG (Law and Order) Anand Kumar said, "The case will be fast tracked. POCSO will also be included in the FIR. As of now sexual assault is not ruled out."