Overview
- The girl, who vanished after Tuesday night’s Ram Navami procession in her village, was found dead Wednesday in a field pit and her mother filed an FIR alleging rape against unknown persons.
- A Special Investigation Team is leading the case, with forensic and dog squads combing the scene, and officers say they have leads and hope to make arrests soon.
- Officials say the post-mortem will determine whether she was sexually assaulted, with police adding that a stick was found in her private parts and a local leader saying her face appeared crushed.
- State BJP leaders met the family on Friday and warned of a Hazaribag shutdown on Monday, March 30, and a wider agitation if suspects are not detained.
- The family delayed last rites for three days seeking swift action, police have stepped up deployment in the area, and reports differ on the girl’s age, listing her as 12 or 13.