Munish Sood
MANDI:
The body of a Class X student who had been missing for nearly a week was recovered from a forest area in the Sundernagar subdivision of Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, triggering concern and shock across the region.
The police have termed the circumstances surrounding the death as suspicious and have launched a comprehensive investigation.
The minor girl, a resident of the remote Nihri area, went missing under unexplained circumstances on December 30. The family members and relatives initiated a search immediately but when no information emerged, a missing person report was registered at the BSL Colony police station on January 1.
Given the difficult terrain and the seriousness of the case, the Mandi police intensified the search operation, deploying drones to scan inaccessible forest zones. During the operation, a search team located a body in the Badehan forest area, approximately 150 metres uphill from the road, near a steep slope.
The police officials said the body was found in a severely mutilated condition, with visible signs of animal attack. Portions of the face and one hand were found damaged. The deceased was later identified by her father Bhuvan Dev.
Mandi Superintendent of Police Sakshi Verma and Sundernagar DSP Bharat Bhushan visited the spot and reviewed the situation on the ground. A forensic team was also pressed into service and collected vital evidence from the site to assist the investigation.
Confirming the recovery, SP Sakshi Verma said the body had been taken into custody and sent for post-mortem examination, which will be conducted on Wednesday. She added that the exact cause of death would be determined after the post-mortem and forensic analysis.
“Although no specific suspicion has been raised by the family so far, the nature of the case warrants a detailed examination from all angles,” the SP said, adding that the police are proceeding with due seriousness and caution.
The recovery of the minor’s body nearly a week after her disappearance has cast a pall of grief over the area, with residents seeking clarity and accountability as the investigation continues.
