The mutilated body parts of a nine-year-old boy have been discovered scattered across a forest in India's Madhya Pradesh state. The head and hands of Nitin Yadav were found in a forest 500 metres from his home on Thursday evening, while his torso was discovered some distance away. His stomach was missing in the horrific case.
Police Investigation Underway
Police initially suspected a wild animal attack, though the boy's family believe he was abducted and killed before being eaten by animals. Officers are investigating both angles, and the cause of death will be known after a post-mortem report.
According to police, Nitin Yadav went to wash his hands and face at the handpump outside his house in Pindra village at around 5pm on Wednesday after school. But after the boy didn't return, his family and residents searched the village and surrounding areas well into the night. They informed police after they could not find him.
Discovery of Remains
On Thursday morning, a joint operation involving police, search dogs and the forest department was launched, resulting in the discovery of the boy's mutilated body on Thursday evening in the forest about 500 metres from the village. Forest department officials said that leopards are known to frequent the area, and they suspected a wild animal attack due to the condition of the body.
The forest department team had been preparing to search for paw prints on Friday morning to support the investigation, but late-night rain has hampered the search. Chitrakoot Ranger Abhishek Mishra stated that there were no signs of a tiger's presence in the area, but leopard movement has been recorded previously.
Family Suspects Abduction
However, Nitin's family members allege that he was abducted and murdered, and his body was thrown into the forest before animals mutilated it. The police have sent his body for a post-mortem to ascertain the cause of death, alongside forensic investigation.
