Motihari: The bodies of a 30-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman were found hanging from a mango tree in Bihar’s East Champaran district on Friday morning, prompting police to investigate the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
The deceased have been identified as Bhola Baitha, son of Jogendra Baitha and a resident of Pakaria village under Harsiddhi police station, and Safina Khatun, a resident of the same area.
According to police, the bodies were found in a mango orchard in the Sonbarsa Giri Tola Sareh area of Harsiddhi. The police said a preliminary investigation indicated that the two may have been in a relationship. However, authorities have not ruled out other possibilities and are investigating whether the deaths were suicides or whether the two were killed and their bodies subsequently hung from the tree.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Kumari Priyanka said Harsiddhi police received information about the bodies and reached the spot. The bodies were recovered and sent for post-mortem examination.
Police have called in forensic experts and a dog squad to collect scientific evidence from the scene. Further action will be taken based on the post-mortem and forensic reports, officials said.
Families report missing persons
Family members said both Bhola and Safina had gone missing from their respective homes on Thursday.
Bhola’s father Jogendra Baitha said his son worked at a grocery shop and also drove a pickup vehicle. According to him, Bhola left home during the afternoon after giving his mobile phone to his daughter.
When Bhola did not return home by around 8 pm, his family began searching for him. They later learned that Safina was also missing, following which villagers joined the search.
The families continued searching through the night. On Friday morning, they received information that the bodies of a man and woman had been found hanging from a tree.
Safina’s husband, Salaullah Khan, said she had been married to him for around 13 years and looked after their children and household. He said he became concerned after she failed to return home and did not answer repeated phone calls. He later found her mobile phone at home, which he said was unusual because she generally carried it with her.
Khan said he had not suspected that his wife was in a relationship with Bhola. He described the two as neighbours who occasionally met and spoke to each other.
Police investigating all angles
According to the police, a possible relationship between Bhola and Safina has emerged during the preliminary investigation. Police currently suspect suicide but are also examining allegations and local discussions suggesting that the two may have been murdered.
Investigators are examining the circumstances in which the two went missing, evidence from the scene, their phone records and other available evidence.
Police said the post-mortem examination and forensic investigation will be important in determining the circumstances and cause of death.
The incident has also drawn attention to the need for investigators to establish whether the deaths were the result of suicide, homicide or another circumstance rather than reaching a conclusion based solely on the apparent scene.
