Chopped limb found in graveyard, woman says it could be hers

THE WOMAN, UNDERGOING TREATMENT AT DMCH, SAID HER HAND WAS SEVERED IN AN ACCIDENT ON OCT 20 NIGHT WHILE SHE WAS TRAVELLING IN AN AUTO-RICKSHAW

DARBHANGA: Two days after a severed limb wrapped in a towel was recovered from a graveyard in Darbhanga district in Bihar, a woman patient undergoing treatment at the Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) has claimed it could be hers and recounted a mysterious accident she had nearly a month ago.

“We suspect the severed hand could be of my sister,” said Mohammad Abulais, her brother.

According to Abulais, his sister Sultana Khatoon (30), was travelling to Darbhanga station in an auto-rickshaw along with a relative on October 20 night to catch a Surat-bound train. They were passing by Sonki village, 12 kms east of Darbhanga station, around 10.30 pm when a machine-like thing, making huge noise, sped past and grazed the side of auto-rickshaw in which they was travelling. A moment later, Sultana found her hand severed.

“I was shocked. My hand was just not there,” Sultana said, adding that the area was pitch dark.

Sharing details, she said she asked the auto driver to search for her missing hand on the spot and take her to DMCH for treatment, but he took a U-turn and got her admitted to Benipur subdivisional hospital. Later, she was shifted to DMCH.

A medical officer at DMCH, Dr Om Prakash, said victims survive despite severed limbs in many such accidental cases if brought to hospital within the golden hour.

Deputy superintendent of police (Sadar) Amit Kumar confirmed police had seized a severed limb abandoned in a graveyard. “We have found a towel, a plastic bag and a limb from the spot. Forensic examination and DNA sampling could verify the claim of the woman patient,” the DSP said, adding that a probe is underway.

Local police sources said they have not received any complaint regarding any murder in the area, which could be linked to the chopped hand.