In a disturbing incident in Jharkhand, Ranchi Police have uncovered the murder of a minor girl by a man and his son due to “social stigma.” The accused transported her body to Gaya in Bihar and cremated it to hide evidence. The case emerged during an investigation into the girl’s disappearance from the Ratu Police Station area.
The prime accused, Subodh Pathak, had taken the girl from a poor family eight years ago and raised her as his own. However, she went missing recently under suspicious circumstances, leading to suspicions in the neighborhood. Villagers gathered outside the accused’s house on April 2, suspecting foul play.
Following an FIR on April 3, a special investigation team was formed, and the police detained Subodh Pathak and his son, Rahul Pathak. The duo confessed to the crime during interrogation, revealing that the girl was murdered at home and her body was taken to Gaya for cremation to cover up the act. The motive behind the murder was cited as “lok-laj” or fear of social stigma.
The accused mentioned that the girl had developed a relationship with Rahul Pathak’s brother-in-law through Instagram, which led to her tragic end. The police have seized the ambulance used in transporting the body and are examining two mobile phones recovered from the accused for additional evidence. Both perpetrators have been arrested and are in judicial custody, while investigations continue to uncover more details.
