By: Express News ServiceJalandhar | November 23, 2025 05:51 PM IST 3 min readThe police have arrested the 48-year-old accused and lodged an FIR against him under murder charges and sections of the Pocso Act (File Photo)In an incident that has sent shockwaves through Jalandhar, a 13-year-old girl was allegedly murdered by her friend’s father.The police have arrested the 48-year-old accused and lodged an FIR against him under murder charges and sections of the Pocso Act. An assistant sub-inspector has also been suspended for allegedly conducting a negligent search of the crime scene.It has been learnt that the minor girl had stepped out around 4 pm on Saturday to visit her friend. When she did not return for quite some time, her family began searching for her, but no clue emerged.Residents later examined CCTV footage, which showed the girl walking through a nearby lane around 4.02 pm. The footage captured her entering the house of the accused at 4.05 pm. She was not seen exiting the house afterwards. This raised suspicion, and locals called the police.According to residents, a police team led by the ASl reached the spot. The ASI entered the accused’s house to inspect it, but came out claiming no girl was inside. His remarks angered the crowd and raised doubts about the thoroughness of the search.During the search, locals also contacted the accused’s wife, who informed them that she was in Ludhiana with her daughter and that the house had been locked from the inside. She refused to believe her husband could be involved.With the girl still missing and frustration mounting, residents confronted the police about the ‘inadequate’ search. Several locals then forced their way inside the house, combing through the rooms, store and bathroom.Story continues below this ad“A short while later, the girl’s body was found stuffed inside the bathroom. The discovery triggered chaos in the neighbourhood. Residents alleged that the girl had been sexually assaulted before being murdered,” a senior police officer said.As soon as the body was recovered, an enraged crowd caught hold of the accused and thrashed him in front of the police. The police took him into custody, but the mob continued beating him even as he was escorted out. Stones were also pelted at his house. The situation escalated, with the crowd shouting slogans against the Punjab government. Some climbed onto police vehicles and tried to block the police from taking the accused away.Senior officers reached the locality around 11 pm and attempted to pacify the crowd. The police eventually rescued the injured accused and shifted him to the hospital.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:jalandhar