BHOPAL: A bridge over a river where crocodiles lurk may hold the key to the disappearance of a nursing officer whose body has not been found days after she went missing.
Police suspect Snehlata, who hailed from Bihar, was strangled and thrown into the crocodile-infested waters of Pachnada in Uttar Pradesh’s Etawah district.
The suspect allegedly told investigators that he believed crocodiles would consume her body, leaving little chance of recovering it.
A confession leads police to the river
On Thursday, police took the suspect, Satyaprakash, to Pachnada, the confluence of five rivers, around 60 km away, to search for the missing woman’s body.
The operation was launched with assistance from the
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
According to sources, Satyaprakash allegedly confessed during questioning that he strangled Snehlata and threw her body from a bridge into the river believing crocodiles would consume it.
Police suspect crocodiles may have consumed her remains, but the body has not yet been recovered.
A relationship, a child and mounting disputes
Snehlata, who was from Bihar, met Satyaprakash, a resident of Joshi Nagar in Bhind, Madhya Pradesh, while studying at a private college where he worked. The two later entered a live-in relationship.
Satyaprakash was already married. Snehlata gave birth to their son around 10 months ago. Police said disputes between the two intensified over the child and Snehlata’s demand that Satyaprakash recognise her as his wife.
A shopping promise before she disappeared
On October 8, Satyaprakash allegedly took Snehlata away on the pretext of travelling to Kanpur, promising to take her shopping. She has not been seen since.
He subsequently lodged a missing person report at Bhind City Kotwali police station and had flyers printed to help trace her. Police began questioning him after suspecting his role in her disappearance, following which he allegedly confessed to killing her.
Family demands strict action
Snehlata’s family travelled from Nalanda in Bihar to Bhind after learning about the case. They have demanded strict action against the suspect.
The search for Snehlata’s body continues, with investigators attempting to establish what happened after she was allegedly thrown into the river.