Kadwa: A gruesome murder in Bihar’s Katihar district has left police baffled, with the discovery of a decapitated body yielding no clues even two weeks after the crime was uncovered.
The case began on June 8 when local labourers cutting paddy in the Rahua Dam area of Gopinagar Panchayat stumbled upon a severed head wrapped in a gamchha (traditional cotton towel). Police were alerted immediately, and with the help of a sniffer dog, a torso was recovered from a nearby drain. A pair of trousers and a shirt were also found near the scene.
Authorities estimate the victim to be a man in his mid-30s. Yet despite a wide circulation of the news on social media and interest from people as far as Rajasthan, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh, no identification has been made.
“It’s as if the body appeared out of nowhere,” said Bijay Prakash, officer in charge of Kadwa police station. “We are leaving no stone unturned, but so far, the case remains a mystery.”
Rumours are rife in the local community, with speculation that the victim may have been lured from another state, murdered, and disposed of in the deserted dam area. However, police caution against premature conclusions.
The condition of the body complicated matters further. Due to decomposition, fingerprint analysis was ruled out. The body was eventually sent to Bhagalpur for postmortem, but the examination was only conducted three days later, diminishing hopes of retrieving forensic evidence.
Fifteen days on, both the identity of the victim and the motive behind the killing remain unknown. The police say they are continuing efforts on all fronts, but the investigation, for now, is at a standstill.
“We are determined to crack this case,” Prakash added. “Justice will be served.”
