3-Year-Old Brutally Killed, Eyes Gouged Out After Parents Didn't Repay $140 Loan

Crime Scene — In this representational image, a policeman keeps watch near a police cordon of the crime scene in Mumbai, India, Aug. 23, 2013. Getty Images/ Indranil Mukherjee

In a horrific incident in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, a 3-year-old girl was strangled to death and her eyes gouged out after her parents failed to repay a loan of $140. According to local reports, the child's mutilated body was found Sunday, three days after she went missing.

Police reportedly discovered the body after a pack of stray dogs were spotted carrying what appeared to be human body parts. The minor girl was identified by local media as Twinkle Sharma.

Authorities said Thursday that they have arrested two men believed to be the girl's neighbors as the suspects of the crime. Local police said the accused -- identified by their first names Zahid and Aslam -- were taken into custody and a case of murder was filed against them.

The incident caused widespread outrage in the country, with citizens, including Indian movie stars urging authorities to take strict action against those behind the crime.

"Horrified, upset and angry to know about baby #TwinkleSharma! This is definitely not the kind of world we want for our children. We need immediate and strictest punishment for such a heinous crime. #JusticeForTwinkle," Bollywood star Akshay Kumar tweeted.

"Extremely disturbed by the news of #TwinkleSharma. It's scary to be living in a world where even innocent children are not safe. I urge our authorities to take action to ensure that such a heinous crime is never repeated again! #JusticeForTwinkleSharma," another actor Sidharth Malhotra wrote.

Police said Thursday that an autopsy was conducted under the supervision of a team of three doctors who ruled out the possibility of rape.

Several social media users called for capital punishment for the accused.

"The brutal murder of 3 year old Twinkle Sharma - strangled, eyes gouged out, doused in acid, hands broken and thrown out with the trash. The accused Zahid is in custody and deserves the strictest punishment. For such animals even the death penalty isnt enough. #TwinkleSharma," one user wrote.