The Gohana police in Sonipat district have secured a three-day police remand for a woman named Poonam, arrested in connection with the chilling murders of four children, which include her own three-year-old son. The arrest was made on a production warrant, leading to a deep dive into the motives behind the alleged crimes spanning two years.
Crime Scene Recreation and Psychiatric Evaluation
During the remand period, investigators took the accused to her residence to recreate the crime scenes. Supervising the probe, Rahul Dev, the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) of Gohana, revealed that a psychiatrist has examined Poonam. The expert recorded her detailed personal history, covering her childhood and marital life.
"We are analysing the psychological and other factors behind the alleged crimes," stated ACP Rahul Dev. He added that during interrogation, the accused has not provided any clear or consistent reason for her actions, complicating the search for a motive.
A Trail of Alleged Murders Unravels
The investigation was triggered by the murder of a six-year-old girl, Vidhi, found drowned in a tub at a house hosting a wedding function in Naultha village, Panipat, on December 1, 2025. While probing this case, police arrested Poonam, a resident of Bhavad village in Sonipat district.
During questioning, she allegedly confessed to involvement in four murders over the last two years. Police stated that Poonam claimed she was driven by jealousy towards children she perceived as physically attractive.
The alleged crime spree, as per police records, includes:
- On January 12, 2003: Drowning her sister-in-law's 9-year-old daughter and her own 3-year-old son at her in-laws' house in Bhavad village, Sonipat.
- On August 19, 2025: Drowning her cousin's daughter in a water tank in Siwah village.
- On December 1, 2025: Drowning her brother-in-law's six-year-old daughter, Vidhi, in a tub at Naultha village, Panipat.
Mental Health Perspective on Post-Pregnancy Disorders
Commenting on the potential mental health angles, Hisar-based gynaecologist Dr. Nidhi Agarwal explained that psychological disorders can occur during and after pregnancy due to hormonal changes, sleep issues, and anxiety. She noted that about one in seven women experience mental health issues in this period.
In rare cases, affecting one or two women per 1,000, a severe condition called postpartum psychosis may develop. This is a psychiatric emergency where symptoms can include hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, severe confusion, agitation, and a risk of harm to oneself or others. Dr. Agarwal stressed that timely psychiatric treatment is absolutely essential in such scenarios.
The police continue to piece together the evidence and statements, aiming to understand the full sequence of events and the psychological state of the accused at the time of the alleged crimes.
