Rains expose 3-week-old murder in Latehar
PNS
Daltonganj
Heavy monsoon rains helped police unravel a three-week-old murder case in Jharkhand’s Latehar district after floodwaters exposed the decomposed body of a man allegedly killed and buried in a Nullah by his elder brother.
The victim, identified as 40-year-old Dayal Topno of Chiro village under Chandwa police station limits, had been missing since July 1. According to police, his body had been concealed beneath slush and sludge in a nearby water stream. However, recent heavy rainfall caused the Nullah to swell, washing away the mud and exposing skeletal remains.
The foul smell emanating from the site alerted the family. Dayal’s sister reached the Nullah and identified the remains, including the skull, ribs, limbs and pieces of clothing, as those of her missing brother.
Latehar SDPO Sandeep Kumar said police recovered the remains on July 22 and sent samples to Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi, for DNA profiling.
During the investigation, police arrested Dayal’s elder brother, Pascal Topno, who allegedly confessed to killing him with a sabbal (iron rod). The weapon has been recovered. Police said the murder was committed while the accused was allegedly intoxicated following a minor dispute. Pascal was remanded to judicial custody after an FIR was registered in the case.
