Police Discover Remains of Missing Teen in Bihar, Uncover Murder Plot
Incident Overview
On February 28, 2024, 19-year-old Chandan Kumar left his home in Sasamusa village, located in Gopalganj district, Bihar, to attend a tilak ceremony at the invitation of three acquaintances. This marked the last reported sighting of him.
According to a complaint lodged by his mother, Savita Devi, Chandan departed home at approximately 6 pm alongside three local youths: Mannu Kumar, 20, Deepak Kumar, 21, and a 26-year-old. When Chandan failed to return by 8 pm, his family attempted to reach him through phone calls, only to find his mobile device switched off.
In her statement to law enforcement, Savita noted that when she contacted the three youths that night, they claimed to have returned home roughly 30 minutes earlier and insisted that Chandan had also left for home. Troubled by his absence, the family launched an extensive search for him. Savita articulated her fears in her complaint to the Station House Officer (SHO) of the Kuchaikote police station, suspecting that the three acquaintances may have harmed her son.
Investigation Timeline
Subsequent to her complaint, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered on March 1, 2024, under Section 365 of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to kidnapping. Initial inquiries, however, did not yield fruitful results, leaving Chandan unaccounted for.
Superintendent of Police Vinay Tiwari, who recently assumed office in Gopalganj, indicated that while the investigation commenced following the filing of the FIR, significant progress had been delayed for nearly two years. Early speculation about a potential romantic involvement was dismissed due to lack of evidence.
In light of the victim’s family’s concerns regarding the stagnant investigation, authorities recommenced efforts to unravel the details surrounding Chandan’s disappearance. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was established, led by inspectors Harendra, Om Prakash, and Rajesh Choudhary of the Kuchaykot police station.
Renewed Investigation and Arrests
During the renewed investigation, the focus shifted back to the three youths who were last seen with Chandan. A technical examination of their activities between February and April 2024 indicated irregularities. Superintendent Tiwari noted that following the incident, the suspects had distanced themselves from their families and refrained from discussing the events of that night.
Evidenced by the findings, police apprehended Deepak Kumar and Mannu Kumar. Reports suggest that both individuals confessed to their involvement in Chandan’s death during interrogation. Superintendent Tiwari asserted that it became evident that Chandan had been murdered on the night of February 28, 2024, and his remains had been discarded shortly thereafter.
Authorities determined that the motive for the alleged murder stemmed from a dispute among the trio, who had reportedly engaged in rag-picking. Chandan had allegedly encroached on areas designated for scrap collection by Mannu and Deepak, leading to escalating tensions.
Details of the Crime and Discovery of Remains
According to police, Mannu, assisted by Deepak, orchestrated the alleged murder. It was reported that Chandan was strangled, and his body was then dragged approximately 100 meters to a roadside drain where it was disposed of. Following the homicide, the suspects purportedly participated in search efforts alongside Chandan’s family, thereby misleading both them and the authorities.
After their confessions, law enforcement teams located Chandan’s skeletal remains in the specified drain. The remains have since been forwarded for forensic examination as part of ongoing scientific investigations.
Superintendent Tiwari admitted that there were shortcomings in the initial investigation, highlighting negligence by the officer in charge of the Kuchaikote police station. A proposal for departmental action against the officer is currently under consideration.
Police are in the process of gathering evidence to file a chargesheet, and Superintendent Tiwari has announced a reward of Rs 5,000 each for the three investigative teams that contributed to resolving the case.
