Patna: A Class 10 student who went missing from the Danapur Railway Colony area on Monday has been safely recovered from Kolkata, police said. Her school uniform and bag were earlier found near a railway track, triggering fears that she may have been abducted.
The student, who is a minor, is being brought back to Patna. Police said a preliminary investigation indicates that a romantic relationship may have been a factor in her disappearance.
Student Failed To Return Home From School
The student lived with her family in a rented house in Loco Colony under Khagaul police station limits. She left for school on Monday but did not return home after classes.
When she had not returned by around 2pm, her family began searching for her and contacted the school. They were informed that she had left the school after classes ended.
During the search, her family and police found her school uniform and bag near a railway track. The discovery raised concerns about her safety and led the family to suspect that she could have been abducted.
Road Blockade After Student Goes Missing
The disappearance led to protests in the area on Monday evening. Family members and local residents blocked the Danapur-Bihta main road, demanding that the student be traced.
The blockade began around 6pm and continued until about 11pm, causing traffic congestion on both sides of the road. Protesters also set fire to items on the road during the demonstration.
The family alleged that police action had been delayed despite a written complaint. Police officials reached the spot and tried to calm the protesters.
SIT Questions School And Coaching Centre Staff
Police formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Danapur SDPO-1 Ajit Kumar to trace the student.
On Tuesday, the team visited the student’s school and coaching centre and questioned teachers and classmates. Investigators collected information about her movements after leaving school and the people she had been in contact with.
An FSL team also visited the railway track on Tuesday to examine the student’s recovered belongings and other evidence.
Police Trace Student To Kolkata
During the investigation, police traced the student’s location to Kolkata. A police team was subsequently sent to the city and recovered her safely.
According to the preliminary investigation, the student changed her clothes after leaving home and travelled towards Kolkata. Police said she had left her school uniform and bag near the railway track, which initially led to fears that she had met with an accident or been abducted.
Police Investigate Possible Romantic Relationship
Police said the preliminary investigation points towards a possible romantic relationship being linked to the incident. However, the complete sequence of events is yet to be established.
The police will record the student’s statement after she returns to Patna and investigate the people she was in contact with during the period she remained missing.
The recovery has brought relief to the student’s family, while investigators continue to establish the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
