SIT to probe murder of 3 minor cousins in Mirzapur

VARANASI: A special investigation team (SIT) will probe the murder of three minor cousins whose bodies were found in Lehadia Bandhi (a pond) in Mirzapur district on Wednesday evening.

Additional director general (ADG) zone, Varanasi, Braj Bhushan on Thursday reached Mirzapur and spoke to the two doctors who performed post mortem on the bodies of the deceased children.

According to a well-placed source, the post mortem report confirmed that there were marks of sharp-edged weapon on the neck and near the eyes of the children. The ADG later formed a SIT, led by additional superintendent of police (Naxals), to inquire into the incident.

Bhushan also visited Bami village and met the relatives of the three children. He assured them that the accused will be caught soon and strict action would be taken against them.

The three children, Shivam Tiwari (15), Sudhanshu (14) and Hariom Tiwari (15), residents of Bami villages had gone to Dhasara forest on Tuesday noon to eat berries there but didn’t return.

Thereafter, their kin launched a search for them and also informed police, a police officer said. He said the kin of the deceased and a police team reached Dhasada jungle on Wednesday and began to search for the children. In the evening, their clothes and slippers were found near the pond. When the pond was searched the bodies of the three were found in it.

The relatives of the children alleged that they were murdered as their bodies had knife marks.

A case was registered on Thursday under IPC section 302 (murder), police said.