Hazaribag: The bodies of a 12-year-old girl and her younger brother, who had been missing since May 27, were recovered from the banks of a river and a well, respectively, in Hazaribag district on Sunday night and Monday. Police said on Monday that the girl's body bore deep injury marks and her face was disfigured, leading investigators to suspect an attempt to conceal her identity.
Investigation Underway
A police officer stated, "The exact cause of death and the possibility of sexual assault will be known after we receive the postmortem report." The family, originally from Uttar Pradesh, has been residing in a village in Hazaribag for the past four years. The parents earn their livelihood by selling balloons and toys in markets, a trade in which both children also assisted.
Family's Allegations
The father reported that he lodged a missing complaint on May 27 after the children could not be traced. The family alleged that despite repeatedly approaching two police stations, the case was not handled with urgency. After the girl's body was found, relatives opposed the postmortem examination.
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 in connection with the incident.
SIT Formed
Hazaribag Superintendent of Police (SP) Aman Kumar announced that a special investigation team (SIT) led by ASP (operations) Amit Kumar and DSP (headquarters) Gyan Ranjan has been formed. Forensic experts, a dog squad, and technical teams are scanning CCTV footage for clues.
Protests and Demands
The recovery of the bodies 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."
