Purnia, Bihar erupted in protests after police recovered a sack containing the mutilated remains of a missing 18-year-old from a cornfield, exposing a heinous gang rape and murder plot. The discovery, 10 days post-disappearance, ignited highway blockades and arson by enraged villagers, crippling traffic on a vital route.
Khushi had disappeared March 12 night from her home. Despite frantic searches and a police complaint, Dagrua SHO brushed it off as an elopement due to romance. But phone records surfaced chats with Sachin Kumar two days later, a tip police ignored, sending the family away empty-handed.
The connection traced back to Khushi’s routine coaching trips past Sachin’s brother’s hotel, where acquaintances formed. Whispers on March 18 of her rape and killing prompted a one-hour police station siege, met with SHO denials until he promised action within 48 hours.
Friday’s find behind a local hotel confirmed the nightmare: gang assault followed by slaying, acid poured to melt the body, then hastily bagged and tossed amid protests. Four fugitives believed escaped to Nepal; one detained.
SP Sweety Sahrawat detailed the probe: a missing report led to a suspect’s arrest. He admitted months-long contact, a fair outing March 11 turning violent with gang rape, coercion, brawl, murder, and body concealment. FSL inspected, post-mortem underway, manhunt on.
The incident underscores police negligence—the SHO’s ‘love affair’ excuse delayed justice, fueling community wrath subdued only after prolonged negotiations. As autopsy results pend, questions swirl over accountability in this barbaric crime.