10-Year Old Girl Murders 18 Month Old by Throwing Her into a Duct

An 18-month-old girl, Ariba Khan, died after allegedly being thrown into a building duct in Mumbai’s Goregaon East. CCTV footage led police to register a murder case against a 10-year-old girl.

Ariba Khan Case: 18-Month-Old Dies in Goregaon, Murder Case?

An 18-month-old girl, Ariba Khan, died after allegedly being thrown into a duct inside a residential building in Goregaon East, Mumbai, on 14 October 2026. Police later registered a murder case against a 10-year-old girl after examining CCTV footage from the building.

What Happened on 14 October?

That night, Ariba was playing with a cat in the corridor outside her family’s sixth-floor flat. When her family realised she was missing, they began searching for her. Her elder brother looked down from the building and spotted her lying injured below. The family rushed Ariba to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead on arrival.

Police initially registered an accidental death report while investigating how the toddler had fallen.

However, Ariba’s mother sought a detailed investigation. She questioned whether her daughter could have fallen over the protective wall near the staircase, which was reportedly around 3.5 feet high.

What Did CCTV Footage Show?

During the investigation, police examined CCTV footage from the building.

According to reports, the footage allegedly showed a 10-year-old girl who lived opposite Ariba’s home picking up the toddler and throwing her into the duct beside the lift. The older girl was then seen moving away from the area. Reports also mentioned an alleged earlier disagreement between the two families over a cat. However, the exact motive behind the incident has not been established publicly.

Police Register a Murder Case

Following the investigation and directions from the Child Welfare Committee, police registered a murder case against the 10-year-old girl on 19 October 2026, according to reports published on 21 October.

The case was registered under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with murder. The registration of a case does not by itself establish criminal guilt. The circumstances and the child’s legal responsibility must be assessed through the applicable legal process.

What Does Indian Law Say About a 10-Year-Old Accused?

Under Indian law, children below seven years of age cannot be held criminally responsible. For children aged seven to under 12, criminal responsibility depends on whether they had sufficient maturity to understand the nature and consequences of their actions. The assessment must consider the child’s understanding and circumstances. A 10-year-old is handled under the juvenile justice system, which focuses on the child’s welfare, protection and rehabilitation.

Reports said the girl was produced before the relevant juvenile authority and would undergo counselling. She was subsequently placed in her parents’ care, subject to further proceedings.

Questions Remain About the Case

Ariba’s death has raised serious concerns about child safety and the circumstances surrounding the incident. While CCTV footage became a key part of the investigation, the alleged motive and the full circumstances still require careful examination.

The case also highlights the importance of handling allegations involving children with care, protecting the privacy of minors and following the juvenile justice process.

As the investigation continues, authorities will need to establish the facts while ensuring that the rights and welfare of both children are protected.