Sitapur teen's skeletal remains found in Lucknow; boyfriend held
Lucknow, June 7 -- Eleven days after a 19-year-old BSc first-year student from Sitapur went missing while on her way to college in her home district, police on Saturday recovered her skeletal remains from a forested area on the outskirts of Lucknow and arrested her boyfriend for allegedly murdering her.
The victim, identified as Mansi, a resident of Sandana town in Sitapur district, had left home on May 25 for her college in Kuchlai village but never returned. Following her disappearance, her family launched a frantic search before approaching the police. She was killed on May 25, the day of her abduction. She was stabbed with a knife, which was found on the spot.
According to police, the probe led them to Vishal Pal, 21, a resident of Saraiya village in Sitapur, who was her classmate. Preliminary investigation suggests the accused was in a relationship with the victim and she had become pregnant, according to an official police statement. They knew each other for two years.
During questioning, the accused allegedly disclosed the location where he had disposed of the body, leading police to a forest area near Devarai Kala village under the BKT police station limits in Lucknow.
"A search of the area resulted in the recovery of a skull, bones, hair, a slipper and clothes believed to belong to the missing student. Family members present at the site identified the clothes and personal belongings as Mansi's," read a Lucknow police statement.
Police suspect Vishal killed her and dumped the body in a forest along Lucknow's Ring Road in a bid to conceal the crime. By the time the remains were recovered, the body had decomposed completely and was found in skeletal form, officials said.
"A forensic team was called to collect scientific evidence from the spot. The remains have been sent for postmortem examination, while DNA profiling and other forensic tests will be conducted to conclusively establish identity and aid the investigation," said Vikas Pandey, ACP, Bakshi Ka Talab.
Mansi's father, Mahesh alleged that he named Vishal Pal and his sister Shivani Pal in his complaint to the police, accusing them of abducting his daughter
Mahesh said that after Mansi failed to return home on May 25, family members searched for her extensively and even visited her college but could not find any clue about her whereabouts. He alleged that despite approaching the police the same day, no immediate action was taken. The FIR was eventually registered at Sandana police station on May 28.
In the complaint, Mahesh alleged that Vishal had lured his daughter away and that his sister Shivani had assisted him. The family further alleged that police failed to register a timely named FIR despite repeatedly informing officers about their suspicions.
Mahesh and villagers staged a protest against the police, alleging inaction in the case. He claimed that only after the protest began on June 2 did the police intensify efforts to trace his daughter.
He demanded action against police personnel he alleged were negligent.
Meanwhile, the ACP said all aspects of the case, including the role of any other persons, are being investigated....
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