A 16-year-old boy was found hanging from a tree by his satchel inside Noida Stadium at Sector 21-A on Friday morning. Shivam Rathore, a resident of Sector-22, had reportedly gone missing since Thursday. Meanwhile Shivam’s family claims he has been killed. Prima facie, it appears to be a case of suicide but police will investigate into it.
Rathore was a Class XI student at Rajkiya Inter College, Sector-12, and had been living with his family in a rented house. On Thursday morning, he left home at 7.30 am and did not return home at 2 pm. His family approached the school authorities and a friend of Shivam’s, who informed he never came to school that day. A missing person’s diary was lodged at Sector-24 police station.
Shivam’s shirtless body was later found hanging by the strap of his satchel from a neem tree. His elder brother Nakul reached the spot and identified him.
Shivam’s father, Suresh Kumar Rathore, suspects foul play and has demanded investigation. “He never seemed depressed. It is not possible for Shivam to climb such a tall tree. He has been killed,” alleged his father. The family hails from Mainpuri area in Uttar Pradesh and shifted to Noida seven years ago. Shivam’s close friend Rishu is also missing since Thursday.
“Although initial probe indicates suicide, post-mortem report will ascertain the exact cause of death. We have registered an FIR at Sector-24 police station and are investigating the case from all the angles,” said a senior police officer. Shivam failed in Class XI and had to appear for a re-test but didn’t turn up for the examination, claims the school management.