Patna: A woman’s body was discovered in a rainwater drainage pipe at the under-construction new terminal of Patna airport on Saturday night, triggering shock and speculation in the high-security premises. The body, believed to be that of a 32-year-old woman, was found stuffed inside a pipe with a diameter of approximately two and a half feet, leading police to suspect rape and murder.
According to Secretariat DSP-1 Dr Anu Kumari, the body was found in a semi-nude state during a routine inspection of the drainage system after workers noticed water leakage. An engineer used a cutter to open a blocked pipe segment and discovered the decomposing remains. The body appeared to be two days old, and the police were alerted around 8pm.
An investigation is underway, with efforts focused on identifying the woman and tracing the workers involved in laying the pipeline. Preliminary inquiries suggest the possibility of insider involvement, with police examining whether any labourers working on the site could be linked to the crime.
Three construction agencies currently employ women workers at the site. While two have confirmed no one is missing, one agency reported that a female worker has not been in contact and did not report for duty on Sunday. Her mobile phone is currently unreachable, raising suspicions.
“We are trying to establish the identity of the deceased and are questioning those working at the terminal,” Dr Anu Kumari said. The area remains under tight security, and the discovery has prompted serious concerns over safety lapses at the airport.
The body has been sent to the mortuary for postmortem. Official confirmation regarding the cause of death will follow the autopsy report. The case has been registered and further investigation is ongoing.
