Dumka police investigate suspected rape and murder of Class 9 student

A Class 9 student was found dead in bushes near her home in the Dumka district of Jharkhand on Friday night. The victim’s body was discovered approximately 500 metres from her residence after she failed to return from a nearby field.

According to reports, the student had returned from school around 3 pm. After having lunch, she went to a field to untie a cow at her father's request but did not return, prompting a search by her family.

Kathikund police station in-charge Balram Singh stated that police suspect the girl may have been sexually assaulted and murdered. The body has been sent for a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death and confirm whether sexual assault occurred. A detailed investigation is currently underway to establish the sequence of events.