PATNA: A decomposed human head wrapped in polythene was recovered from a canal in Bihar’s Banka district on Sunday after local residents spotted stray dogs tearing at the packet.The recovery marks the fifth consecutive day of disturbing discoveries of suspected human remains in the area. Police suspect the remains could belong to a missing 16-year-old girl, whose mother has been arrested in connection with the suspected murder.The latest recovery was made near Kantiya village in the western main canal of the Badua reservoir, under the jurisdiction of Belhar police station.According to local residents, three to four dogs were seen tearing apart a polythene-wrapped object near the canal on Sunday evening.When villagers approached to investigate, they realised it appeared to be a human head and immediately alerted the police.A police team reached the spot and recovered the remains. Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) experts collected samples before the head was sent to Banka for a post-mortem examination.The discovery adds to a series of recoveries since October 28, when villagers fishing near Chhagarachara village first spotted human body parts in the canal.The receding water level, following the closure of the Badua reservoir’s main gate, had exposed the remains. Police have so far recovered seven body parts, a human hand and the head. One of the body parts reportedly had an intravenous cannula attached to it.The remains are suspected to belong to the 16-year-old daughter of Santosh Singh, a resident of Baghonia village. However, her identity is yet to be confirmed through DNA analysis.The investigation took a major turn after village watchman Chaudhary Paswan allegedly informed the police that Santosh Singh, his wife Sunita Devi, cousin Vijay Singh and others had murdered the girl and chopped up her body to destroy evidence.Police subsequently registered a second FIR on October 29 and arrested Sunita Devi, who was later sent to judicial custody. Santosh Singh and Vijay Singh are absconding.Local residents claimed that the girl had been communicating with an unidentified young man over the phone, which had reportedly led to objections from her family. Other allegations suggest that she died after falling ill and being taken for medical treatment. However, police have not confirmed these accounts.Belhar SHO Vijayendra Kumar said, “One accused has been arrested, and raids are underway to apprehend the remaining suspects.”Belhar SDPO Ravindra Mohan Prasad said the recovered head was decomposed and DNA testing would establish whether it belonged to the same person whose other remains were found in the canal.“Police are continuing the search with assistance from forensic experts, the dog squad and the technical cell. The identity of the deceased could be revealed with the help of DNA test and post-mortem report”, the SDPO added.
