Nalanda: A brutal murder has shaken the district, where a 20-year old nursing student was killed and her body dumped in a suitcase and thrown into a drain. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and raised urgent questions over women’s safety in the region.
The victim, Pooja Kumari, a resident of Onda village under Sare police station limits, had been living in rented accommodation in Bihar Sharif while pursuing a nursing course at a private medical college in Bhagan Bigha. According to police, she left home on Tuesday claiming she had to collect her college uniform for an exam. When her family lost contact with her, panic set in. Their worst fears were confirmed on Wednesday when police contacted them with the devastating news of her murder.
Police have arrested Amit Kumar, 25, from Barbigha in the neighbouring Sheikhpura district. During questioning, Kumar admitted to murdering Pooja, whom he had reportedly known for four years. The two had first met while attending Mission School in Barbigha.
The accused had been living in a rented house in Kagji Mohalla, within Bihar Sharif’s Nagar police station area. Police believe this is where the murder took place. Pooja’s throat was slit with a sharp weapon—later recovered from the scene and her body was stuffed into a newly purchased suitcase. He allegedly transported the suitcase using an e-rickshaw and disposed of it in a drain behind the girl’s high school in the Sohsarai police station area, around a kilometre away.
Although the scene bore traces of blood, the suitcase itself had not been recovered as of Wednesday evening. Authorities suspect that it may have been removed by a passerby. “We are following all leads and verifying the suspect’s statement against evidence collected,” said Sadar DSP Nurul Haq. Police say the investigation is ongoing, and more details are expected in the coming days.
The victim’s family, devastated by the loss, said Pooja was the eldest of six siblings. Her father is a government school teacher. The family has demanded the harshest punishment for the accused.
