A chilling murder investigation is underway in Bhopal after police recovered the decomposed body of a young woman from a trunk submerged inside a water tank on a vacant plot in Six Ghara area of Kamal Nagar. Authorities have arrested the woman’s live-in partner along with his mother, brother and sister, alleging their involvement in concealing the crime.
According to the Nishatpura Police, the body was discovered on Thursday afternoon after a local resident reported a foul smell emanating from the vicinity of the tank. A police team, accompanied by forensic experts, reached the location and initiated a search operation. The tank, estimated to be around 10 feet deep and partially filled with water, was drained with assistance from locals. During the process, officers retrieved a trunk containing the woman’s remains.
Investigators later confirmed that the body was in an advanced stage of decomposition and appeared to be three to four days old at the time of recovery.
Sequence of Events
Preliminary findings suggest that the woman was allegedly murdered on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday. Police suspect that after the killing, the accused kept the body at his residence for nearly a day before attempting to dispose of it.
Officials allege that the live-in partner packed the body into a trunk, reportedly weighing it down with stones, and transported it to the nearby vacant plot located approximately 200 metres from his house. During the disposal attempt, he is believed to have slipped and subsequently sought assistance from family members.
Police claim that his mother, brother and sister then helped him move and conceal the trunk inside the water tank. The involvement of multiple family members has added a disturbing dimension to the case, raising questions about how the crime was coordinated and whether it was premeditated.
Authorities have registered a murder case and are continuing investigations to determine the exact sequence of events, motive, and any prior disputes between the couple.
Forensic and Technical Examination
Forensic teams are examining the crime scene and the trunk to collect trace evidence. Investigators are also analysing call records, CCTV footage from surrounding areas, and digital communications to reconstruct the timeline.
Station House Officer Manoj Patwa stated that stones were suspected to have been placed inside the trunk, likely in an attempt to ensure it remained submerged. Officials also noted that a dead animal was found in the tank during the recovery operation, though it is not currently believed to be connected to the homicide.
The body has been sent for post-mortem examination to establish the precise cause of death. Medical findings are expected to play a crucial role in determining whether the victim was killed through physical assault, strangulation, or other means.
Arrests and Charges
The primary accused the woman’s live-in partner has been taken into custody along with his mother, brother and sister. Police sources indicate that investigators are questioning each accused individually to identify inconsistencies in their statements.
A murder case has been formally registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, and further charges may be added depending on forensic results and interrogation findings.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the identity of the victim publicly, pending formal confirmation procedures and notification of extended family members.
Community Reaction
The discovery has sent shockwaves through the neighbourhood, with residents expressing disbelief that such a crime could occur within close proximity to their homes. Many locals reportedly gathered near the scene during the recovery operation, as police cordoned off the area.
Child rights advocates and women’s safety activists have renewed calls for stronger support systems for individuals in vulnerable domestic situations, especially where live-in relationships lack formal legal structures.
Ongoing Investigation
Police officials have emphasised that the investigation remains active and that all angles are being examined, including the possibility of prior domestic violence or financial disputes.
“We are piecing together the timeline through forensic and technical evidence. Accountability will be ensured based on facts,” a senior officer said.
As authorities await autopsy results and continue questioning the accused, the case highlights broader concerns surrounding intimate partner violence and concealment of crimes within domestic settings.
Further developments are expected as investigators gather additional evidence and prepare to file a detailed chargesheet in court.
