LUCKNOW, Feb. 13 -- The cremation of two childhood friends whose bodies were found on a railway track under mysterious circumstances has left two villages in grief, with unanswered questions over their final moments. Reports of the two walking hand in hand towards the track, their slippers and shawls found at a distance from the spot, and silence from grieving families have deepened the puzzle for investigators probing their alleged deaths.

Neetu, 23, who had been married six months ago in Unnao district, and her close friend Shashi, 21, were cremated on Thursday. According to police and local residents, Neetu had returned to her maternal home on Wednesday morning and later called Shashi to meet her in the fields. Some villagers claimed ...