In a gruesome act of vengeance that has shaken the capital, Delhi Police today (Jan 31, 2026) arrested 36-year-old Wazid Khan, an e-rickshaw driver, for the brutal murder of his 12-year-old stepson. The body was discovered yesterday in the bushes near the Shastri Park flyover, bearing severe head injuries inflicted by stones.
The crime has sparked outrage due to its calculated cruelty: after killing the boy, Khan allegedly filmed a video of the mutilated body and sent it to the victim's mother via WhatsApp with the message, "Take your child away" (Jaa apne bacche ko le ja). The murder appears to be a direct retaliation against the mother for leaving the marital home just days earlier due to domestic abuse.
The Context (How We Got Here)
- The Separation (Jan 25): The victim's mother left Wazid Khan after a violent altercation, taking shelter with her sister. Khan, who married her in 2020 after her first husband’s death, reportedly held a grudge against her four children from the previous marriage.
- The Abduction (Jan 29): Khan picked up the victim (12) and his elder brother (15) from school. He later isolated the younger child under the pretext of work, while the elder brother returned home.
- The Discovery (Jan 30): At 7:00 AM, Khan called his wife to confess he had "killed her youngest." Police traced the location through the video/call data and recovered the body near the Shastri Park loop. Khan was arrested today after fleeing the scene.
The Key Players (Who & So What)
- Wazid Khan (The Accused): The Stepfather. His motive was purely retaliatory. By targeting the youngest child, he aimed to inflict maximum psychological damage on his estranged wife. He has been charged under BNS Section 103(1) (Murder).
- Ashish Mishra (DCP Northeast Delhi): The Investigator. He confirmed the recovery of blood-stained stones and sticks from the site. His team is now using the viral video as primary digital evidence to establish the timeline of the murder.
- The Victim's Mother: The Survivor. She revealed a tragic history of abuse. Crucially, she had filed a police complaint against Khan in the past but withdrew it after he "promised to change"—a decision that highlights the fatal cost of the "compromise culture" in domestic disputes.
The BIGSTORY Reframe (The "Compromise" Trap)
While the media focuses on the "Horror Video," the real story is the Systemic Failure of 'Settlements'.
- The Red Flag Ignored: The mother had previously approached the police regarding domestic violence but "settled" the matter to save the marriage. In India, Family Counseling Centers (Parivar Paramarsh Kendras) often pressure women to "compromise" and return to abusive husbands to keep the family unit intact.
- The Fatal Cost: This case is a grim reminder that domestic violence rarely de-escalates; it evolves. By prioritizing the "sanctity of marriage" over the safety of the woman and children, the system inadvertently left the door open for this tragedy. The story isn't just about a "killer stepfather"; it's about a system that pushes victims back into the lion's den.
The Implications (Why This Matters)
- School Safety Protocols: The ease with which the stepfather picked up the child from school raises questions about custody lists. Schools typically release children to "known family members" unless explicitly told otherwise. This loophole needs closing for separated parents.
- Digital Forensics: The video sent by the accused will be pivotal. Under the new Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, digital evidence (video metadata) is admissible without the complex certification previously required, potentially speeding up the conviction.
- Public Desensitization: The circulation of the murder video on social media (before takedowns) points to a disturbing trend where crimes are "performed" for an audience, complicating the trauma for the grieving family.
The Closing Question (Now, Think About This)
If a mother has to choose between "saving her marriage" and "saving her children" because society tells her a broken home is a failure, is society an accomplice when the child pays the price?
FAQs: The Shastri Park Murder Case
1. Who killed the 12-year-old boy in Shastri Park? The boy was killed by his stepfather, Wazid Khan (36), an e-rickshaw driver. He confessed to the crime, citing revenge against the boy's mother for leaving him.
2. Did the stepfather send a video of the murder?Yes. In a chilling act, Wazid Khan reportedly video-called or sent a recorded clip of the boy's body to the mother on WhatsApp to taunt her after the murder.
3. What was the motive? The motive was revenge. The mother had left Wazid Khan on January 25 due to domestic abuse. Khan targeted her youngest son to inflict pain on her for walking out of the marriage.
4. How was the child kidnapped? He was not kidnapped by a stranger. Wazid Khan picked up the victim and his brother from school on Thursday (Jan 29), as he was a known family member. He later separated the younger boy from his brother before killing him.
5. What charges has the accused been booked under? Wazid Khan has been booked under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to punishment for murder.
Sources
News Coverage
Brajesh Mishra
Exclusive Content
