A family who was presumed dead in a tragic road accident near Pul Doda in Doda district in Jammu and Kashmir on December 20, 2022, was found alive in Panchkula, Haryana.
According to various reports, on December 20, 2022, a family from Songoi Bhaderwah met with a car accident in Pul Doda, leading to their presumed disappearance in the Chenab River. The car bearing registration number JK 06A-6311 was recovered, and case FIR No. 182/2022, U/S 279, and 304-A IPC were registered in Police Station Bhaderwah. The police, along with the Ababeel and SDRF rescue teams, searched for the car and its occupants, but only recovered Adhar cards and no bodies. This led to suspicions of a possible fake accident, according to sources.
On 28 December 2022, The Chenab Times sources told that the family is alive in Haryana. However, police denied the claims, as that time was probably reserved for secrecy in the ongoing investigation strategy.
According to sources, the man of the family was in debt and facing a lawsuit for a bounced check. He reportedly faked the accident in order to claim death benefits and disappear with his wife and daughter.
After tracing the family’s electronic movements, the Jammu and Kashmir Police were able to locate them and bring them back to Bhaderwah from Panchkula, Haryana, police revealed on Sunday. The case has been described as mysterious, and the family’s motives are still being investigated.
On January 6, the Jammu and Kashmir Police in Doda released a statement regarding the investigation into the alleged missing person case of Manjeet Singh and his family. The statement revealed that Manjeet had taken out a large loan of approximately Rs. 30 lacs (approximately $41,000) to establish his business from different banks and private lenders and that his financial condition was not good.
In order to locate the missing individuals, the technical team of the Doda cyber cell utilised CCTV footage, and a search team was formed by SSP Doda, led by in-charge Police Post Bhalla PSI Ankush Kumar Sharma under the supervision of SHO Bhaderwah Inspector Jatinder Singh. The team, with the assistance of the Haryana Police, was able to locate the missing individuals alive in the village of Abhaypura, Phase 1, Panchkula, Haryana, and brought them back to Doda district within 24 hours.
The police department stated that the investigation into the matter is ongoing and that proceedings under relevant sections will be followed. No further details have been released at this time.
Anzer Ayoob is the Founder and Chief Editor to The Chenab Times