Tragic Discovery: Missing Class X Student Found Dead in Himachal Pradesh Forest

Body of Missing Student Found

Munish Sood
MANDI:
The remains of a Class X student, who had been unaccounted for nearly a week, were discovered in a forested area of the Sundernagar subdivision in Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh, raising alarm and sorrow throughout the community.

The police have classified the circumstances surrounding her death as suspicious and have initiated a thorough investigation.

The young girl, hailing from the secluded Nihri region, vanished under mysterious circumstances on December 30. Her family and friends promptly began searching for her, but when their efforts yielded no results, a missing person report was filed at the BSL Colony police station on January 1.

Due to the challenging terrain and the gravity of the situation, the Mandi police escalated their search efforts, utilizing drones to survey hard-to-reach forest areas. During this operation, a search team discovered a body in the Badehan forest, located about 150 meters uphill from the road, near a steep incline.

Authorities reported that the body was found in a severely disfigured state, showing clear signs of animal attacks, with parts of the face and one hand damaged. The deceased was later identified by her father, Bhuvan Dev.

Mandi Superintendent of Police Sakshi Verma and Sundernagar DSP Bharat Bhushan visited the scene to assess the situation. A forensic team was also deployed to gather crucial evidence from the site to aid in the investigation.

SP Sakshi Verma confirmed the recovery of the body, stating it has been secured and sent for a post-mortem examination scheduled for Wednesday. She noted that the precise cause of death would be established following the post-mortem and forensic evaluations.

“While the family has not raised any specific suspicions thus far, the nature of this case necessitates a comprehensive investigation from all perspectives,” the SP remarked, emphasizing that the police are approaching the matter with the utmost seriousness and care.

The discovery of the minor's body, nearly a week after her disappearance, has enveloped the community in grief, with residents calling for transparency and accountability as the investigation unfolds.