1st year MBBS student brutally murdered, body found floating in dam with hands, legs tied

The deceased has been identified as a 22-year-old medical student hailing from the Godda district enrolled at the Sheikh Bhikhari Medical College in Hazaribagh.

On Tuesday, the medico's body was spotted by the locals who then informed the police.

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Prima facie police suspected that it was likely that the woman went to the Patratu Lake Resort, along the dam, with her friends as it is a popular picnic destination, officials told PTI, adding that she was thrown into the dam with her legs and hands tied with ropes.

A bag was also found near the spot, cops added. The distraught family reached Ramgarh on being informed about the incident and told police that they could not believe that such an incident could happen.

The family members alleged murder and demanded justice. As per the deceased's mother, on Monday morning, her daughter talked to her on a video call, ate food in front of her, and went from home, saying that she has an exam in college. However, at 3 p.m., when her mother called, her phone was switched off.

After her friends and family tried to look for her, it was found that the medical student had skipped her examination and lunch. The next morning her body was found in the dam, reports The Logical Indian.

The daily further added that the deceased's father alleged that her daughter has been murdered, and a classmate of her own college did this.

The incident has triggered a social media outrage, prompting netizens to demand justice and fair investigation from Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren. Meanwhile, a Special Investigation Team has been constituted with officers from Ramgarh and Hazaribagh police to investigate the matter from all angles, including the possibility of rape, AV Homkar, Deputy Inspector-General of North Chhotanagpur Division, told PTI.

The case is being investigated by 17 teams from 3 districts, namely, Hazaribagh, Ranchi, and Ramgarh. The police are also investigating the footage from CCTV cameras, located in Buti More and Kanke Road. Deputy Inspector General of Police (Hazaribagh) AV Homkar has been supervising the probe in the case. On Wednesday, he visited the medical college and interrogated the Principal and others.

The college authorities said that she was seen on the campus till Monday morning and left for Ranchi around 9 am that day. The autopsy, conducted under the supervision of a three-member medical board, has confirmed that Puja died due to drowning, added a media report in OPIndia.

On Wednesday night, Agriculture Minister Badal visited the deceased's house. He told the Pioneer that this incident is unfortunate. He claimed that the police will solve the murder case within 48 hours. "Hemant Sarkar is committed to women's safety. In view of the seriousness of the case, an investigation team has been formed," he added.