Body of one of five girls flung into river found

The body of the youngest of the five girls, who were allegedly thrown into the river Narmada near Bharuch in south Gujarat by their 'debt-ridden' father two days ago, was on Saturday recovered even as search for the other four continued.

Also Read Man throws 5 daughters into river

Body of Suhana (3) was found on the river bank near a brick kiln 4 km from the Jadeshwar bridge, from where the five girls were allegedly flung into the water.

"There are no injury marks on the body and the child has died due to drowning," investigating officer V J Patel said.

The police is looking for Salim Ghulam Hussain Sheikh, who seen by an old woman "throwing the five girls from the bridge one by one." She reported the matter to the police.

Nearly 50 personnel of the Sagar Rakshak Dal and police have been looking for the bodies for two days now, Bharuch District Superintendent of Police A V Vasava said.

The girls were aged between three and seven.

Sheikh, who also has a 10-month-old son, had informed his wife over the telephone that he was going to commit suicide along with the girls -- Shagufta, Yasmin, Ruksana, Samarin and Suhana, police said.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that Sheikh was into gambling and owed money to some persons in his native town of Surat.