Investigation Continues into 2025 Disappearance of Sanoj Kumar after Police Custody Claims

The case of Sanoj Kumar, a Dalit youth from Ganj village in Bhojpur district, continues to unfold months after his mysterious disappearance. The Patna High Court’s recent directive forced Bihar police to act decisively, resulting in the detention of two assistant sub‑inspectors, three Home Guard personnel and a private driver, all of whom have now been sent to judicial custody.

The accused – ASI Dhairaj Kumar Singh, ASI Raj Kumar, Home Guard Rajoo Singh, Umesh Yadav, Dharmendra Paswan and driver Vikas Singh – are being investigated for their alleged role in Sanoj’s vanishing after he allegedly entered police custody on August 13, 2025. The family maintains that Sanoj reported being seized by officials from the production department before his call abruptly ended.

Following a prolonged search, Sanoj’s body was recovered eleven months later, adding a grim dimension to the investigation. Forensic teams later retrieved one of his mobile phones from a production‑department official; the second handset remains missing, intensifying doubts about the department’s assertion that the youth escaped.

Local authorities initially failed to register an FIR for a custodial escape, a procedural lapse that has drawn criticism. After the family appealed to the High Court, the bench summoned the district magistrate and the senior police officers, demanding a status update. The court’s stern warning triggered the prompt arrest of the six police personnel.

Currently, all six are under judicial custody, awaiting further judicial scrutiny. The prosecution relies heavily on digital forensics—mobile‑location tracking, call‑detail records and other electronic evidence—to reconstruct the final hours of Sanoj’s life.

The High Court has also mandated security provisions for Sanoj’s relatives, underscoring the seriousness of the case. Police officials have reiterated their commitment to pursuing any individual found complicit, promising strict legal action.

As the investigation proceeds, the focus remains on uncovering the exact chain of events that led to Sanoj’s disappearance and ensuring accountability for those responsible.