A 17-year-old student was found dead near her Ranchi district village as police investigated suspected rape and murder. The case triggered local anger and demands for an SIT, fast-track trial and strict punishment.
Jharkhand girl found dead during Durga Puja, police investigate suspected murder. (Photo: Representational )
A 17-year-old Class 11 student was found dead in bushes near her village in Jharkhand’s Ranchi district after she went out with her seven-year-old cousin on Maha Ashtami, triggering outrage and a police investigation into suspected rape and murder.
The girl had left her home in Mardu village, under the Muri police outpost area, on Sunday, October 18, saying she had some work outside. She did not return. Her cousin was later found injured and reportedly told the family what had happened after regaining consciousness.
The girl’s body was recovered from bushes near the village late on Sunday night and sent to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi for a post-mortem examination. Her mobile phone is also missing, and police are investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.
The incident, which took place during the Navratri festival, has sparked anger in the area, with political leaders demanding swift action and the strictest punishment for those found guilty.
SEVEN-YEAR-OLD COUSIN FOUND INJURED
According to information provided by the family, the girl had gone out with her seven-year-old cousin on Sunday. When she failed to return, relatives began looking for her.
The cousin was reportedly found outside the house after being assaulted and losing consciousness. After he regained consciousness, he returned home and told the family about the incident. The child had sustained injuries and was taken for treatment before being brought home.
Police are questioning the girl’s relatives, including the young cousin, as part of the investigation to establish the sequence of events.
The girl’s body was subsequently found in bushes near the village. Police suspect sexual assault and murder, but the circumstances and cause of death will have to be established through the investigation and post-mortem findings.
FORENSIC TEAM, SNIFFER DOGS JOIN PROBE
Police launched an investigation after receiving information about the incident. Given the seriousness of the case, a sniffer dog team was called from Ranchi, while forensic and technical investigation teams examined the scene.
Investigators collected evidence and samples from the spot. The body was removed at around 12.30 am to 1 am on Monday and sent to RIMS in Ranchi for a post-mortem examination.
The missing mobile phone is another key aspect of the investigation. Police are examining this lead alongside the evidence collected at the scene and statements from the family.
There were reports that a person had been detained for questioning in connection with the case, but their alleged role had not been officially confirmed.
Ranchi Police told Aaj Tak that investigators were close to establishing the facts of the case and asked for some time before further details were made public.
SUDESH MAHTO, DEVENDRA NATH MAHTO VISIT VILLAGE
AJSU Party president and former Jharkhand deputy chief minister Sudesh Kumar Mahto visited Mardu village after learning about the incident. He met the victim’s family and remained at the scene through the night alongside police officials as the search for the girl and the investigation continued.
Mahto expressed grief over the incident during the Durga Puja celebrations and urged police officers to take immediate action.
JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto also visited the village at around 10 pm on October 18 and inspected the scene. He condemned the suspected sexual assault and murder, saying the incident had created an atmosphere of fear and anger in the area.
According to Devendra Nath Mahto, the girl was around 17 years and nine months old and studying in Class 11. Villagers described her as soft-spoken and focused on her studies.
He said the incident had left residents frightened, with women in the village feeling unsafe about going to fields, working in their gardens or stepping outside their homes.
JLKM LEADER SEEKS SIT, FAST-TRACK TRIAL
Devendra Nath Mahto demanded a thorough, impartial and scientific investigation, calling for accountability at every stage of the probe.
He said he had urged the administration to collect all relevant forensic evidence before removing the body, record the crime scene on video and cordon off the area to prevent the destruction of evidence.
He also said he had spoken to senior police officers over the phone and put forward several demands, including the formation of a special investigation team (SIT) to monitor key aspects of the case.
His demands include a fast-track trial, videography of the post-mortem examination, necessary forensic tests and the use of technical evidence and available CCTV footage to identify and arrest the accused.
He also sought security for the victim’s family, appropriate compensation and free legal assistance.
Calling for the harshest punishment permitted under the law if the accused are convicted, he said, “A heinous incident like this involving an innocent girl cannot be tolerated.”
He warned that a public movement could follow if the administration failed to take the case seriously and deliver concrete action towards justice.
The investigation is continuing, with police examining the available evidence to establish what happened to the teenager and identify those responsible.
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With inputs from Satyajit