Lucknow: In a disturbing development, the skeletal remains of a 19-year-old college student from Sitapur, who went missing after leaving for college on 25 May, were recovered on Saturday from a forested area near the Outer Ring Road in the Mahipatpur region under the Bakshi Ka Talab (BKT) police station limits in Lucknow.
The deceased, identified by her family as Mansi, was identified based on her clothing and footwear found at the scene. The case has taken a serious turn after her father alleged abduction and murder by a man named in the complaint.
According to Mansi’s father Mahesh, his daughter left for college as usual on 25 May but did not return home by her routine time of around 12:30 pm. When she failed to return, the family began searching for her and later visited the college, but found no leads. By evening, they approached the police after failing to trace her.
Mahesh had earlier accused Vishal Pal, a resident of Saraiya village in Sandana police station area, and his sister Shivani Pal of luring and abducting his daughter. He also stated that Mansi’s mobile phone was switched off soon after she went missing, raising further suspicion.
The family alleged delays in police action, claiming that an FIR naming the accused was registered only on 28 May despite repeated requests. Mahesh said timely intervention could have saved his daughter.
Dissatisfied with the pace of the investigation, the family and villagers began a protest on 1 June, demanding swift action and the safe recovery of the missing student. During the protest, police reportedly assured them of urgent efforts to trace her.
On Saturday, police took the family to the Mahipatpur forest area near the Outer Ring Road, where human remains were discovered. Officials said that hair, clothes, bones, and slippers were found at the site.
Police confirmed that the remains were identified by the family as Mansi based on clothing and footwear recovered from the location. Further forensic examination is underway to establish the exact cause of death.
The father has alleged that Vishal Pal was involved in his daughter’s murder and has demanded the arrest of all those connected to the case. He also called for action against any police personnel found negligent during the initial investigation.
Police officials said that the investigation is ongoing and all angles, including abduction and murder, are being thoroughly examined.
