Ranchi: The bodies of a 25-year-old woman and her 21-year-old neighbour, who went missing from Lohardaga on Thursday evening, were found on the Tajna riverbed in Khunti district on Friday morning. Police suspect the woman’s estranged husband kidnapped and killed the two before dumping their bodies in the river.The victims were identified as Neha Kumari, a resident of Badgai village under Bhandra police station in Lohardaga district, and the neighbour, Arun Kumar Rana.Police said Neha and her husband, Chandan Pramanik, were involved in a marital dispute, and a maintenance case filed by her was pending in court. On Thursday, Neha went to Karanj police station to take custody of her son from her husband as she had to attend her sister’s wedding. However, police asked her to return the next day as it was already evening.While returning home, Neha and Rana allegedly went missing. Their family members informed Karanj police station, but alleged that no immediate action was taken and nearby police stations were not alerted. A search operation was launched later.Khunti sub-divisional police officer Mangal Singh Jamuda said the investigation revealed that Chandan allegedly abducted the duo, took them to the Tajna river bridge in Khunti, killed them and threw their bodies into the river. He then abandoned his vehicle at a relative’s house in Bundu, Ranchi district, before fleeing.“Raids are being conducted to apprehend the accused,” Jamuda said.
