Magisterial probe ordered into Meerganj ‘drownings’
Five days after bodies of three cousin sisters were found in the Bhakra River in Meerganj area of Bareilly, the newly appointed district magistrate Pankaj Yadav ordered a magisterial inquiry into the matter on Thursday. The order came after family members of the girls met the DM and asked for swift investigation.
As per the order issued by DM, sub divisional magistrate (SDM) Meerganj, Paras Nath Maurya will look into the investigation and submit a report to the district administration within 15 days.
Reportedly the cousin sisters aged 13, 14 and 15 years respectively were reported missing last Friday and their dead bodies were recovered from river next day. The police on the basis of the post mortem report have claimed that the girls died of ‘drowning’ as no signs of ‘murder’ were found on their bodies.
But the family members of the girls have registered a police complaint alleging that the girls were kidnapped and murdered following a property dispute. They accused five persons of the village and a police team of Meerganj police station was asked to investigate the matter.
Police have already detained four of the five accused while the dead body of the main accused Raju Pandit was recovered on Tuesday.
According to postmortem examination, Raju committed suicide by consuming poisonous farm fertilizers.