Dhanbad, September 11, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The beheaded body of an unidentified woman was recovered from a forest in Jharkhand’s Dhanbad district on Friday, triggering panic among local residents and speculation over a possible human sacrifice after ritual materials were found near the spot.
The body was discovered in a forested area near Chataniya Bridge, ahead of Madai Than in Dhangi Basti, under the jurisdiction of Baliapur police station.
According to police, local resident Kishore Kumar Mahto had gone into the forest in the morning when he noticed what appeared to be a human leg. He alerted other villagers, who reached the location and found the woman’s body lying there.
A police team from Baliapur police station subsequently reached the spot and launched an investigation.
Police said the woman’s severed head was found inside a plastic sack, while her torso was recovered from another location in the forest. Incense sticks and other ritual materials were also reportedly found near the site.
The recovery of the ritual items led villagers to suspect that the woman could have been killed as part of a human sacrifice. Police, however, cautioned against drawing any premature conclusions, saying the motive behind the killing would be established only after a detailed investigation and post-mortem examination.
Baliapur police station ASI Ashok Kumar said the deceased appeared to be between 25 and 30 years old. Her identity has not yet been established.
Police teams are making inquiries in nearby villages and surrounding areas to identify the woman and trace those responsible for the killing.
The body has been sent for post-mortem examination. Further action will be taken on the basis of the autopsy findings and other evidence gathered during the investigation.
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