Shillong, Apr 1: Police in East Khasi Hills have cracked the murder case of a seven-year-old boy from Mawpat, with the arrest of the accused following nearly six months of investigation, Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem said on Wednesday.
According to police, the incident dates back to September 9, 2025, when a complaint was received about a missing child around 2:20 PM. A search operation was immediately launched across multiple locations, but the boy could not be traced that day.
The following morning, the child’s body was recovered from Mawpat. Police, along with a forensic team, conducted an on-site investigation, and the body was later identified by family members as that of the missing boy.
A post-mortem examination confirmed that the cause of death was smothering.
To ensure a comprehensive probe, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted. Despite questioning several individuals and collecting evidence, investigators initially faced difficulties due to the absence of clear leads, including no signs of sexual assault, ransom demand, or an apparent motive.
However, after months of sustained effort, police were able to identify the आरोपी as Kandy Khongthaw (32), a local resident known to the victim. He reportedly used to visit the child’s house frequently.
Investigations revealed that on the day of the incident, the child had gone to the accused’s residence after lunch. In a fit of anger, the accused allegedly smothered the child to death. He later concealed the body within the locality, placed it in a plastic bag, and disposed of it by the roadside using a scooter.
Police arrested the accused on Wednesday, and he has reportedly confessed to the crime.
SP Syiem stated that the case was particularly complex due to the lack of immediate evidence and motive, but was eventually solved through coordinated efforts, forensic inputs, and witness-based investigation.
Police also indicated that the accused has a history of aggressive behaviour. Further investigation is underway to ascertain whether any other individuals were involved.
Authorities have confirmed that strict legal action will be taken against the accused.
