SIT to probe Anuppur woman’s murder, death of teen witness

Bhopal: A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to investigate the sequence of events linked to the alleged assault and murder of a 20-year-old woman in Anuppur district and the subsequent death of a 17-year-old complainant and eyewitness, police said on Sunday.

The SIT was formed through an order issued by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Shahdol Zone. It has been tasked with conducting a detailed probe into Bijuri police station case number 188/26 and submitting its findings before the court.

According to the order, Additional SP Shahdol Abhishek Diwan will supervise the investigation, while Inspector Ratnambar Shukla (Kotma police station), Inspector Umesh Upadhyay (Bhalumada police station), and Sub-Inspector Sarita Lakda (Anuppur Kotwali) have been appointed as members. The team has also been authorised to include additional officers if required.

The development comes amid growing public attention over the twin deaths in the coal belt region of Anuppur. The 17-year-old boy, identified as Aman Yadav, was the complainant and key eyewitness in the alleged assault case involving his female friend. Police said he was reportedly under severe mental distress and blamed himself for the incident before his body was found on railway tracks under Bijuri police station limits on Saturday morning.

Investigators have said the 20-year-old woman, who was asthmatic, likely died of asphyxiation during a struggle with the accused. Police have arrested two persons — Golu Kushwaha and Akhtar Ali Qureshi — within hours of the incident, which allegedly took place near the Korja Colliery boundary area on May 20.

Officials said the SIT will examine all aspects of the case, including forensic reports, witness statements, digital evidence, and the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death. Police are also awaiting detailed forensic and DNA reports to determine whether sexual assault took place.