A Mother's Betrayal: The Tragic Death of a Five-Year-Old Girl in Lucknow

In a quiet corner of Lucknow, a little girl named Soni lost her life in the most unimaginable way. She was only five years old, curious, playful and trusting. She had no idea that the people she looked to for love and protection would become the reason her life ended far too soon.

According to police, Soni’s mother, Roshni, and her partner, Udit Jaiswal, murdered the child as part of a twisted plan to frame Roshni’s estranged husband. It is a case so deeply disturbing that it has not only shocked law enforcement but shaken communities across the country.

What followed the murder was just as horrifying. As the child’s body lay in their apartment, beginning to decompose, the couple allegedly continued their lives, drinking, partying and even sleeping beside her remains. It’s a cruelty that’s hard to fathom.

A Child Silenced

Soni lived with her mother and Udit in a rented flat in Kaiserbagh, Lucknow. Her parents were separated and she was caught in the middle of their conflicts. But like most children, she simply wanted love and attention.

On the night of July 13, that innocence came to a tragic end. Police say Roshni and Udit smothered Soni to death, pressing a handkerchief over her mouth and holding her down until she stopped breathing. The autopsy revealed signs of blunt trauma and asphyxiation.

This wasn’t an accident. It wasn’t done in a fit of rage. Investigators believe it was premeditated. Roshni allegedly wanted to use her daughter's death to falsely accuse her husband Shahrukh, gain custody advantages and possibly claim family assets. The plan was as cruel as it was calculated.

A Nightmare That Didn’t End

After Soni was killed, her small body was placed in a box and hidden under a bed. For nearly two days, the couple lived in the same room, sleeping and partying just feet away from her remains. The air grew heavy with the smell of death, but they carried on, drinking, using drugs and pretending nothing had happened.

At one point, they even tried to cover up the smell by placing the body near an air conditioner and spraying perfume around the room. Neighbors eventually noticed the odor and alerted authorities.

When police arrived, Roshni claimed that her ex-husband had broken in and murdered their daughter. But the story didn’t add up.

The Truth Surfaces

CCTV footage showed no sign of Shahrukh near the home at the time of the incident. Phone records placed both Roshni and Udit at the scene. The condition of the body told a clear story. Soni had been dead for more than 36 hours.

Faced with this evidence, Udit confessed. He said the little girl had walked in on them during an intimate moment. Rather than respond with compassion or explanation, Roshni became enraged. Together, they silenced her forever.

The motive, according to police, was to pin the blame on Shahrukh and make it appear that he had come to the house in a fit of rage. It was a plan that failed but at a heartbreaking cost.

A Pattern of Manipulation

Investigators have revealed that Roshni had a history of making false allegations against her husband and his family. In the past, she had filed complaints that were later withdrawn or found to be baseless. Police believe this may have been part of a longer pattern, using the legal system to isolate her husband and gain control of her daughter.

But this time, the manipulation turned deadly.

A Nation Reacts

As news of the case spread, so did the sorrow and disbelief. On social media, people expressed outrage, grief and heartbreak for the little girl who had no choice in any of it. Child rights groups have called for better systems to protect children caught in the crossfire of custody battles and family disputes.

Roshni and Udit have both been arrested and are now in police custody. The investigation continues and authorities are determined to ensure justice is done. But no verdict, no sentence, can undo what has been lost.

A Life That Deserved So Much More

Soni should have been starting school this year. She should have been drawing pictures, learning to read and asking questions about the world. Instead, her life was taken in a place where she should have been safest, her own home.

This isn’t just a story of crime. It’s a story of a child who deserved love and protection but got betrayal instead. It's a reminder to all of us that behind the headlines are real lives and sometimes, the most vulnerable pay the highest price for the cruelty of others.

May her memory be a call for compassion, vigilance and justice.

Image of roshini