Bodies Burned, Buried in Cave: Jharkhand Double Murder Unravelled

Investigators in West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand have unravelled a double murder in which a mother and daughter were killed over a land dispute, their bodies burned and the remains hidden in a forest cave. Seven accused have been arrested so far, and the probe is widening to identify more suspects.

The victims were Kuni Kui Biruwa and Namsi Biruwa, who lived in the Topasai Tola area of Bada Torlo village under Manjhari police station limits. Their neighbours were named as the accused. The land conflict began when a field boundary was cut, and the dispute escalated over the following months.

The arrested accused include Yadunath Biruwa, Ladura Biruwa, Raja Ram Biruwa, Chandra Biruwa alias Chandra Biruwa, Mahti Biruwa, Dui Kondakel alias Lakhan Kondakel and Tribhuvan Biruwa. All of them are residents of Torlo village. Based on their statements, skeletal remains of the mother and daughter were recovered from a cave on the Dabuk hill in the Torlo forest.

The case came to notice when the two women were reported missing from their home about 15 days earlier. Fearing that something had gone wrong, villagers alerted the Manjhari police station. An FIR was registered on October 27, and a special team was constituted to probe the matter.

The investigation combined technical analysis with human intelligence, which led police to suspect a land-related motive. After questioning seven people, including Yadunath Biruwa, officers uncovered the double murder and made arrests.

During interrogation, the accused reportedly said the woman's husband had died a few years ago. Police said the dispute over the field boundary arose around June-July, after which the accused plotted to kill the mother and daughter, take possession of the land and bury the bodies in an isolated cave. The murders were committed on October 13.

The victims were then taken to the cave outside the village, covered with bushes, doused with diesel and burned. The remains were hidden inside the cave. The recovery was carried out in the presence of a magistrate and the FSL team.

Authorities said that between 12 and 13 people are believed to be involved in the killings. Police are carrying out raids to trace and arrest the remaining suspects.