On March 2, 2025, a heartbreaking tragedy shook Raghunathgarh village in Rajasthan’s Alwar district.
A one-month-old infant, Alisba, died during a police raid after allegedly being crushed under an officer’s foot while sleeping beside her mother. The incident has left the village on edge, with grieving parents and angry locals demanding justice.
The quiet village of Raghunathgarh, under the Naugaon police station area, turned into a scene of chaos and sorrow on that fateful Sunday morning. It all began around 6 a.m. when a team of police officers arrived at Imran Khan’s home. Imran, a daily-wage labourer, was suspected of involvement in a cyber fraud case. The police were acting on a tip-off, aiming to arrest him. According to Razida, the officers stormed into their small house without warning. Alisba, just 30 days old, was sleeping peacefully on a cot beside her mother when the raid took place. In the confusion, one of the officers allegedly stepped on the infant, crushing her fragile body under his foot.
Razida’s cries of despair filled the air as she realised her daughter was no longer moving. “I tried to wake her, but she was gone,” she said, her voice trembling with grief. Imran, who managed to escape during the raid, later returned to find his family shattered. The villagers gathered around the house, stunned by the loss of such a young life. Word spread quickly, and soon, the incident became the talk of not just Alwar but the entire state of Rajasthan.
The police, however, have a different version of the story. They claim the raid was part of a routine operation to nab suspects in a cybercrime investigation. According to a senior officer from the Naugaon police station, the team did not intend to harm anyone, and the infant’s death was an “unfortunate accident.” The officer said, “We were chasing the suspect inside the house. It was dark, and things happened too fast. We regret the loss, but there was no intention to hurt the child.” This explanation has done little to calm the growing anger among the villagers and activists who see it as a case of reckless police behaviour.
By the afternoon of March 2, news of Alisba’s death had reached local leaders and media outlets. People began demanding answers. How could a simple raid end in the death of an innocent baby? Why didn’t the police take more care while entering a home with a young child? These questions fuelled protests in Raghunathgarh, with residents blocking roads and raising slogans against the police. “Justice for Alisba” became a rallying cry, echoing through the streets as the community mourned.
The tragedy caught the attention of political figures too. Brinda Karat, a senior leader from the Communist Party of India (Marxist), condemned the incident sharply. In a video statement on March 4, she called it a “murder” by the police and demanded strict action against those responsible. “A one-month-old child crushed under a policeman’s boot—this is not just negligence, it’s a crime,” she said. Her words added weight to the growing calls for accountability.
As the news spread beyond Alwar, social media platforms like X lit up with reactions. Users shared posts expressing shock and sadness, many using hashtags like #JusticeForAlisba and #PoliceBrutality. One post described how journalists from Maktoob Media visited the grieving family on March 6, painting a picture of a home drowned in sorrow. Another user wrote about Razida’s pain, saying, “Her baby was sleeping next to her, and in seconds, she was gone. How can this happen?” The online outrage mirrored the feelings on the ground, where people felt the police had crossed a line.
On March 7, the Rajasthan police issued a statement promising a thorough investigation. They suspended the officer accused of stepping on Alisba and formed a special team to look into the matter. Alwar’s Superintendent of Police, Anand Sharma, said, “We are taking this very seriously. If any wrongdoing is found, strict action will be taken.” An autopsy was conducted on Alisba’s body, and early reports confirmed she died due to severe injuries, likely caused by heavy pressure on her chest and head. The final report is still awaited, but it’s clear the infant didn’t stand a chance against the force that crushed her.
For Imran and Razida, the loss is beyond words. Imran, who earns a living through odd jobs, said, “I wasn’t even home when it happened. I came back to find my daughter dead and my wife crying. What was her fault?” The couple’s modest home, once filled with the soft coos of their newborn, is now silent. Neighbours have stepped in to offer support, bringing food and sitting with the family as they grieve. But no amount of comfort can erase the pain of losing a child so brutally.
The incident has also sparked a larger debate about police conduct in India. Activists argue that this isn’t an isolated case—police raids often turn violent, especially in rural areas where people have little power to fight back. “The police act like they’re above the law,” said a local human rights worker who visited Raghunathgarh. “They barge into homes, scare families, and sometimes destroy lives. This time, it was a baby who paid the price.” Many are now calling for better training for officers and stricter rules during such operations.
Meanwhile, the cyber fraud case that led to the raid has taken a backseat. Imran insists he’s innocent and says the police targeted him without proof. “I’m a poor man trying to feed my family. I don’t even know what cyber fraud means,” he told reporters. Whether he’s guilty or not, the focus has shifted to Alisba’s death, with people questioning if the police’s actions were justified.
As of March 11, 2025, the investigation is ongoing, and the village remains tense. The suspended officer’s fate hangs in the balance, while pressure mounts on the Rajasthan government to deliver justice. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has not yet commented, but sources say he’s been briefed about the situation. Political parties are watching closely, knowing this could become a major issue ahead of local elections.
For the people of Raghunathgarh, Alisba’s death is more than just a headline—it’s a wound that won’t heal easily. The image of a tiny baby, crushed in her sleep, has shaken their trust in those meant to protect them. Razida’s words, “I rushed to my baby… she was no longer breathing,” haunt the village, a reminder of a life lost too soon. As the fight for justice continues, one thing is clear: Alwar will never forget the tragedy that struck on that Sunday morning.
In the days ahead, all eyes will be on the police and the courts. Will Alisba’s family get the closure they deserve? Or will this be another case swept under the rug? Only time will tell, but for now, Raghunathgarh mourns, and a mother weeps for her little girl, gone forever.
