Hazaribag: The body of a 12-year-old girl, who had been missing along with her younger brother since May 27, was recovered from the banks of a river in Hazaribag district on Sunday night.
Police Investigation Underway
Police on Monday stated that the victim had deep injury marks and her face was disfigured, leading investigators to suspect an attempt to conceal her identity. A police officer said, "The exact cause of death and possibility of sexual assault will be known after we get the postmortem report."
Family's Ordeal
The girl's family, originally from Uttar Pradesh, has been living in a village in Hazaribag for the past four years. The parents earn a living by selling balloons and toys in markets, a trade in which the girl and her two-and-a-half-year-old brother also assisted.
Her father reported that he lodged a missing complaint on May 27 after both children could not be traced. The family alleged that despite repeatedly approaching two police stations, the case was not handled with urgency. After the body was found, relatives opposed the postmortem examination and demanded immediate efforts to trace the missing toddler.
Discovery and Identification
Police said a shepherd spotted the body and alerted locals. Identification was initially difficult due to the condition of the body, but was later confirmed through the missing person's report. A case has been registered.
Special Investigation Team Formed
Hazaribag SP Aman Kumar stated that a special investigation team (SIT) led by ASP (operations) Amit Kumar and DSP (headquarters) Gyan Ranjan has been formed. Forensic experts, dog squad, and technical teams are scanning CCTV footage for clues.
Protests and Allegations
The recovery of the body sparked protests, with residents blocking a roundabout and demanding swift arrests. The victim's father alleged that a man had lured the children with the promise of a mobile phone, claiming that the police were informed earlier but failed to act.
ASP Amit Kumar said, "Every angle is being probed."
Ongoing Efforts
Police are continuing their search for the missing toddler and investigating all leads. The SIT is working diligently to solve the case and bring the perpetrators to justice.
