The body was found on March 15 inside an abandoned structure under the jurisdiction of Jaitahari police station. Local residents, alarmed by a strong foul smell emanating from a locked room, gathered near the site and alerted the authorities. Upon arrival, police discovered the remains in an advanced state of decomposition, with several parts severely damaged, raising immediate suspicion of foul play.
Following the recovery, a special investigation team was formed. Initial clues, including personal belongings found at the scene and cross-verification with missing persons records, led to the identification of the victim as 24-year-old Kajal Puri, a resident of Lapta village. She had been reported missing since February 17.
According to police officials, Kajal had left her home that day stating she was going to college but never returned. Investigators traced her last known contact to Chandrabhan Rathore, also known as Ravi or “Thakur Sahab,” who was subsequently detained for questioning.
During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to being in a relationship with Kajal after connecting with her on Facebook a few months earlier. As the relationship progressed, Kajal reportedly began pressuring him for marriage. Rathore, citing social constraints, refused and is believed to have plotted her murder.
Police stated that on February 17, he took Kajal on his motorcycle to the isolated house in Govari village. There, he allegedly attacked her with a stone, resulting in her death. In an attempt to conceal the crime, he destroyed her SIM card and hid her mobile phone.
Authorities have since recovered crucial evidence, including the victim’s mobile phone and the motorcycle used in the crime. The accused was arrested within 48 hours of the body’s discovery.
Further investigation into the case is ongoing.
