Patna police trace missing Class X pupil after movements through West Bengal; Asansol man identified as suspect
Patna — A Class X student who went missing from the Khagaul area of Patna was rescued by Patna Police within 36 hours after an investigation that covered movements between Bihar and West Bengal, the Times of India reported on Saturday. Police said a youth from Asansol has been identified as a suspect in the case and raids have been launched to arrest him.
The missing-child case was registered on Aug 10 under Sections 137(2) and 96 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita after the girl's family approached Khagaul police when she failed to return home from school. Her school bag and uniform were discovered near railway tracks in the yard adjoining Danapur station during initial searches, escalating concerns for her safety.
On the directions of Patna SSP Kartikeya K Sharma, a special investigation team was formed under ASP (Danapur-I) Ajit Kumar. City SP (West) Sanket Kumar said the unit used technical and human intelligence to trace the girl's movements. Initial leads suggested the minor had travelled to West Bengal, prompting investigators to follow the trail across state lines.
- Case registered: Aug 10 under Sections 137(2) and 96, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
- Rescue: Girl traced and rescued near Patna Junction within 36 hours
- Suspect: Identified as Vishal Kumar, resident of Asansol; raids underway
Police said the search operation alternated between Bihar and West Bengal as the girl's location reportedly shifted. The special team ultimately traced her movement back towards Patna and effected the rescue near Patna Junction within the stated period.
"Vishal has been identified as a suspect in the case, and raids are underway to arrest him," the city SP was quoted as saying.
According to the Times of India report, during questioning the rescued pupil stated that she and a friend had become acquainted with a boy from Asansol through Instagram. The girl said she left home with her friend and the boy, who has been named by investigators as the prime suspect. Police are probing the circumstances under which the minor travelled to West Bengal and later returned to Patna.
The cross-jurisdiction nature of the inquiry highlights the challenges that arise when missing-person cases involve movement across state boundaries and online introductions. Patna police employed both technical and human intelligence to track the girl's changing location; similar coordination will be needed with West Bengal counterparts if the suspect is located in Asansol.
Local law-and-order officials in Asansol could face scrutiny if the suspect is arrested within the city limits; however, the Times of India report gives no further details on any action taken so far by West Bengal or Asansol police. The probe, as reported, remains active and focused on establishing the exact circumstances of the minor's travel and association with the named suspect.
| Detail | Reported information |
|---|---|
| Time from reporting to rescue | 36 hours |
| Registration sections | Sections 137(2) and 96, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita |
| Named suspect | Vishal Kumar (resident of Asansol) |
The incident underscores increasing public concern over young people's online interactions and the need for parental vigilance. For Asansol residents, the identification of a local youth as a suspect will likely prompt close attention to developments, including any movement by the police to effect an arrest or to question persons connected to the case.
Further official updates are expected as investigators follow through on leads and coordinate between Patna and West Bengal police units, according to the Times of India report.
