Patna: The lifeless body of 27-year-old Sanjana Singh was discovered on Thursday in a rented house behind Manorama Apartments on Boring Road, Patna. Sanjana, who lived there on rent in the house of retired irrigation officer Rajeshwar Prasad, was brutally murdered in what appears to be a grisly crime involving stabbing and burning.
Police found multiple knife wounds on Sanjana’s body, with blood scattered across the room. An LPG gas cylinder was found nearby with its pipe deliberately opened. According to investigators, Sanjana was first attacked with a knife and, after being left half-dead, was burned to death.
CCTV Footage Points to Friend as Prime Suspect
Surveillance footage shows a young man fleeing the scene shortly after the incident. Police identified the suspect as Suraj Kumar, a friend of Sanjana who frequently visited her rented accommodation. CCTV captured Suraj arriving at the house around 1 pm carrying a backpack. Reports indicate a dispute erupted between the two.
Following the argument, Suraj allegedly retrieved a knife from the kitchen and stabbed Sanjana multiple times—in the neck, stomach, and back—causing severe bleeding. He then reportedly brought the LPG cylinder from the kitchen, cut the gas pipe, and set Sanjana on fire before fleeing around 3 pm, taking her laptop bag with him.
Police traced the last known location of Suraj and Sanjana’s mobile phones to East Champaran and are actively searching for him.
Incident Discovered by Maid, Family in Shock
Sanjana, originally from Saba in Muzaffarpur, had recently cleared the CGL exam and was preparing to start a private job in Patna. She lived with her family, including her brother, who is currently training as a sub-inspector at the Bihar Police Academy.
The tragedy came to light when Sanjana’s maid arrived at the house in the evening and alerted the landlord. Subsequently, police and family members were informed, and her brother reached the scene. Police have not released further details pending investigation.
Family Speaks Out
Sanjana’s brother, Saurabh Kumar, expressed his grief, stating, “At around 7:30 pm, we received news that my sister had died from burns caused by the gas cylinder. When I arrived, it was clear she had been murdered—her throat was slit, and her face was burnt. She lived with our mother, sister, and me. Her CGL results had just come out, and she was to join her new job next month.”
He added, “The gas cylinder was brought from the kitchen and kept in the bedroom. The suspect is visible on CCTV footage, but I cannot identify him. My sister was not friends with anyone, nor did she report any harassment or threats.”
Sanjana’s mother, Rita Devi, who remains unconscious in the hospital, shared her sorrow: “Her phone was never switched off. I called her several times on Thursday but received no response. I was worried all day. Later, police from Sakra station came and told me she was seriously injured. When I arrived at the hospital with my husband and daughter-in-law Neha, I found out she had passed away. We had planned her wedding for next year. The boy is being searched for.”
The police investigation is ongoing, with the main suspect still at large.
