The body of 23-year-old Mitali was found wrapped in a plastic sheet in a drain near Rajpura late on Monday night, two days after she was reported missing. The police have arrested one suspect, Rohit, and charged three others, including Sultan Mohammed, with her murder.
Mitali, a resident of Badal Colony, Zirakpur, and an employee at IT Park in Chandigarh, was found to have suffered fatal injuries. Mitali’s father, Sohan Lal, had earlier filed a kidnapping complaint at the Zirakpur police station, alleging that Sultan Mohammed, a Banur resident, had been harassing his daughter for some time. On the night of March 7, Mitali was allegedly kidnapped by Sultan Mohammed and his accomplices.
Sohan Lal further claimed that he informed Investigating Officer Ashok Kumar about the incident on the same day, but no immediate action was taken. The officer allegedly dismissed the severity of the case, saying, “She has gone from home only, not died yet.”
The community grew increasingly upset, and local residents gathered outside the Zirakpur police station late on Monday, demanding justice for Mitali. Her father called for a thorough investigation to uncover any possible conspiracy and for the arrest of all involved.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Deepak Pareek confirmed that a murder case had been filed against the four suspects. While Rohit has been arrested, Sultan Mohammed and his aides, Raj and Amandeep, remain absconding. The police have also impounded the car reportedly used in the crime.
The police are continuing their efforts to arrest the absconding suspects, and a post-mortem has been ordered to determine the exact cause of Mitali’s death.
