Indore police said they had not been aware of the matter. “We have no record of this. No one informed the local police station or administration. We are looking into the matter, “ said a senior police officer.

Santhara, also known as Sallekhana, is traditionally undertaken by devout Jains at the end of their life as an act of spiritual purification. In 2015, the Rajasthan High Court had declared Santhara illegal, calling it a form of suicide. However, the ruling triggered widespread protests by Jain groups, and a month later, the Supreme Court put a stay on the decision.

The child’s parents, Varsha and Piyush Jain, both IT professionals, took the decision for their daughter to undertake the ritual following advice from a Jain monk.

The couple said they consulted only close family members before taking the decision. “She was our only child,” Piyush said. “She came into this world for only three years, four months, and one day. When her brain tumour relapsed after surgery, and her health deteriorated rapidly, we decided to turn to our faith.”

The family said they brought Viyana to their spiritual guide on March 21. According to them, the monk assessed her condition and predicted she wouldn’t survive the night. After consulting relatives and obtaining their approval, the parents said they proceeded with the ritual, which was carried out with full religious rites and lasted about 30 minutes. Ten minutes later, Viyana died, they said.

“She was a happy, energetic child,” said her father. “We raised her with Jain values from the start — visiting the cow shelter, feeding birds, praying, and observing religious rituals.”

Following the ceremony, the parents also claimed that it was recognised by the Golden Book of World Records as the youngest recorded case of Santhara globally.