Couple Arrested in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar for Alleged Murder of 4-Year-Old ‘Adopted’ Daughter

Authorities in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district have detained a couple accused of murdering their 4-year-old “adopted” daughter, a police official confirmed on Friday. The suspects, identified as Fauzia Shaikh, 27, and Faheem Shaikh, 35, from Sillod, also allegedly attempted to conceal the crime by rushing the child’s burial, the official stated.

According to the couple’s statement to police, they had taken in the girl, named Aayat. The child was brought to a sub-district hospital at approximately 3 a.m. on Wednesday, where medical staff pronounced her dead on arrival. Suspicion arose when a local resident alerted authorities, suggesting the girl’s death was not due to natural causes such as illness, prompting a swift police response.

Acting quickly, officers intervened to halt the burial arranged by Fauzia and Faheem, redirecting Aayat’s body for a post-mortem examination. The autopsy revealed multiple injuries, and Fauzia reportedly admitted to police that she had physically disciplined the child. “The couple has been charged with murder, and we are investigating whether the adoption was legally conducted,” said an official from Sillod police station.

Following the completion of necessary procedures, Aayat was laid to rest on Thursday evening. The accused are scheduled to appear in court on Friday, the official added.