Uttarakhand: Murder Accused Mushtaq’s Illegal Home Demolished, Tensions Rise After Minor’s Rape Case in Nainital

Dehradun/Khatima/Nainital – In a swift crackdown, the Uttarakhand administration demolished the illegal residence of Mushtaq, the prime accused in the brutal murder of Pooja Mandal, whose decapitated body was found in Khatima’s Nadanna canal this week. The demolition comes amid rising communal tensions in Nainital, where violent protests erupted after a 12-year-old Hindu girl was allegedly raped by a 76-year-old contractor.

Pooja Mandal Murder Case: Key Developments

1. Arrest & Demolition
   • Mushtaq, who allegedly slit Pooja’s throat after she opposed his marriage to another woman, was arrested in Gurugram on April 30.
   • His illegally constructed house in Gauri Kheda (Sitarganj)—built on ST-category land owned by Mathura Prasad—was razed by authorities.
   • The murder weapon (a knife) was recovered from his sister Phulbano’s home, though she remains absconding.
2. A Love Story Turned Deadly
   • Pooja, a resident of Nanakmatta’s Bengali Colony, had been missing for five months before her decomposed body was found.
   • Investigations reveal she was in a relationship with Mushtaq since 2022, but he married another woman in November 2024.
   • When Pooja confronted him, he allegedly murdered her and dumped her body in the canal. Her head is still missing.

Nainital Erupts in Protest After Minor’s Rape

Simmering tensions boiled over in Nainital after a 12-year-old Hindu girl was reportedly raped by Usman (76), a local contractor.

• Violence Erupts: Enraged locals vandalized Muslim-owned shops in Gadhi Padhav and protested outside a mosque.
• Police Lathi-Charge: Additional forces were deployed, and SP Dr. Jagdish Chandra intervened to control the mob.
• Markets Shut: Fearing escalation, Muslim-run businesses from Mallital to Tallital remained closed.

An FIR has been registered against Usman, but the incident has heightened communal sensitivities in the region.

Administration’s Stern Message

The bulldozer action against Mushtaq’s home sends a clear signal: illegal constructions and crimes will face zero tolerance. However, critics question whether such measures address systemic issues, especially with rising crimes against women in Uttarakhand.