Ara: A 10-year-old boy who went missing from his village in Bihar’s Bhojpur district was found murdered seven days later, triggering allegations of police negligence and sparking widespread protests by villagers.
The body of the child, identified as Aditya Kumar, was recovered from a well barely 300 metres from his home in Barka Lahore village under the Barhara police station area on Sunday. Aditya had been missing since December 22. His father, Rajnikant Pandey, alleged that despite repeatedly approaching the police and sharing details about suspected persons, timely action was not taken, which could have saved his son’s life.
Speaking to reporters, the grieving father said he had visited the police station for five consecutive days, pleading for a serious investigation and requesting the deployment of a dog squad and forensic team. “I kept informing the police about possible suspects and begged them to take the matter seriously. If they had acted in time, my son would be alive today,” he said, holding the police administration responsible for the delay.
Body spotted by children playing cricket
The incident came to light on Sunday morning when local children were playing cricket near the village. After the ball rolled towards a well, they went to retrieve it and spotted a body inside. Villagers were immediately alerted, and the police were informed.
The condition of the body indicated that it had been lying in the well for several days. Locals said the body was badly swollen, with the eyes and tongue protruding, suggesting prolonged exposure to water.
Following the recovery, angry villagers staged a road blockade on the Ara–Barhara road near Barka Lahore, placing the body on the road and protesting for nearly nine hours. The protest ended around 5 pm, after which the body was sent for post-mortem examination.
Family alleges police inaction
Aditya’s father said he had lodged a missing complaint soon after his son disappeared and had even named a few suspects orally during police visits. He claimed that although some individuals were briefly detained, they were later released after preliminary questioning.
“I folded my hands before the police and told them my child was in danger. Instead of investigating seriously, they kept questioning me,” he alleged, demanding the strictest punishment for those responsible.
According to the family, the accused, identified as Kanhaiya, had allegedly threatened Aditya’s mother earlier. The father said that while Kanhaiya’s name was not mentioned in the written complaint, it was conveyed verbally to the police, who later questioned and released him.
Alleged motive linked to family dispute
Aditya’s mother, Twinkle Pandey, claimed that the murder was linked to a personal dispute involving her brother, who allegedly had a relationship with a girl from a neighbouring village. She said the girl’s family had issued threats following the disclosure of the relationship.
Recounting the day Aditya went missing, she said the child had gone out to play in the afternoon and later visited a fair organised in a nearby village, where a religious event was underway. When he failed to return by evening, the family began searching and later informed the police.
She further alleged that she had personally pleaded with the accused to return her son, promising silence, but her appeals went unanswered. Aditya, a Class II student, was academically bright and aspired to become a police officer, she said.
Police response
SDPO-2 Ranjit Kumar said a missing complaint had been registered on December 22. “No accused was named in the written application, though a name was mentioned orally,” he said. He added that following the recovery of the body, the accused has been taken into custody and is being interrogated. Further action will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation.
The case has raised serious questions about police response in missing child cases and has intensified demands for accountability and swift justice.
