Police in Uttar Pradesh’s Shravasti district found body parts of a 25-year-old farmer leader in a forest on Tuesday, about two weeks after she went missing, investigators said Thursday.
Anchal Mishra, a mother of two, was the district president of the women’s wing of the non-political farmers’ union, a police officer said. She disappeared on February 17 after leaving home to attend a meeting in Bhinga. Her husband, Santosh Mishra, filed a missing complaint on February 19.
Investigators traced the last location of her mobile phone in the forest in Kakardhari district and found her skull, jawbone and spine. Her clothes and shoes were discovered some distance away.
Police Inspector Rahul Bhatti said the accused, Suraj Verma, was taken into custody after Santosh Mishra described him as a suspect. Verma allegedly confessed to killing Aanchal Mishra. Based on his questioning, the police found the remains.
Police said Anchal Mishra and Verma were in contact for three to four months and were allegedly in a relationship. Bhatti said Verma claimed that Anchal Mishra was demanding money and threatening to file a complaint at the police station if he refused, which he described as blackmail.
“On February 17, Verma took her to the forest and strangled her. He then hid the body there,” Bhatti said. Investigators believe the wild animal left behind only skeletal remains of its body. They said Verma has a criminal history and faces seven cases.
