The Ranchi police on Tuesday made a major breakthrough in the alleged rape and murder of the 22 year- old woman with recovery of skull of the beheaded body, which was recovered from Ormanjhi on January 3, from a paddy filed in Chandwey village. The skull was recovered from the paddy field of prime accused Shiekh Bilal—few kilometers away from the incident spot where the body was found.
Rural SP, Naushad Alam said, “The recovery of the skull is a major breakthrough in the case. Prima facie the skull matches the beheaded body recovered from Ormanjhi forest last week.” Alam said that on the revelation made by prime accused Shiekh Bilal’s wife and his son, the Ranchi police on Tuesday dug the paddy field owned by Bilal at Chandwey village recovering the skull.
Meanwhile, the Ranchi police, after recovery of the skull, have launched a drive to nab prime accused Shiekh Bilal. A police officer investigating the case requesting anonymity said, “The Ranchi police have intensified investigation and several teams are working to nab Bilal. The police have released the photographs of Bilal. The police have also set a reward of Rs 5 lakh on those who provide clue of Shiekh Bilal.”
“Extra martial affair is said to be the main reason behind the murder of woman. Shiekh Bilal, who was already married was having an affair with the woman. Later, Bilal married the woman, but the couple was not having cordial relationship,” added the police officer.
“Bilal had a criminal record as he was involved in an arms case and others decided to eliminate the woman hatching a conspiracy to kill the woman,” added the officer. Sources said that Bilal, after murdering the woman, beheaded her and also inflicted injuries to her naked body and private parts.
The skull was recovered nine days after the beheaded body was recovered on January 3 and during this time police investigation revolved around various theories. Few days back a woman from Cheshire Home road claimed that the body belongs to her daughter, who was missing since September. However, the beheaded body failed to match with the woman’s claim. Later, a couple from Chanho village also claimed that the beheaded body belongs to their daughter. The Chanho couple also revealed about Shiekh Bilal.
A day after the headless body of the woman was spotted; people took to the streets in protest and ‘attacked’ the convoy of Chief Minister Hemant Soren. BJP leaders have termed the case more brutal than the Nirbhaya case. The Ranchi police later arrested one Bhairon Singh accused of stopping CM’s convoy.