A week after the discovery of a headless child’s body, its feet bound with rope, in the Bhakra Canal near Karkala village in Patiala, the police investigation has hit a significant roadblock. Authorities are struggling to establish the identity of the victim, believed to be around nine years old, and determine the motive behind the apparent murder.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that the post-mortem examination has been conducted, but the results are still pending. The crucial challenge remains the identification of the child, as no missing person reports corresponding to the age group have been received from either Patiala or surrounding districts. Efforts to locate the child’s severed head have also proved futile, despite extensive searches by private divers in the canal waters.
The grim discovery was made on June 9, when private divers operating in the Bhakra Canal alerted the authorities. The body, found floating near Karkala village, was observed to have its legs tied with a red nylon rope. Upon initial examination, the body exhibited a sharp cut near the abdomen, suggesting it was the site of decapitation. The divers noted that the condition of the body indicated it had been in the water for only one to two days prior to its recovery.
The Patiala Police, under the supervision of SSP Varun Sharma, have launched a comprehensive probe into the incident. While the exact circumstances are under investigation, police are not ruling out any possibilities, including ritualistic elements, although they have remained tight-lipped about the specifics of the ongoing inquiry. The fact that the body was headless points towards a deliberate act of murder, complicating the investigation process.
Speaking on the investigation, an official stated that teams have also been in communication with police stations located upstream along the canal in an effort to trace the origin of the body. However, without a confirmed identity for the child, connecting the dots and piecing together the events has proven exceptionally difficult. The Samana Deputy Superintendent of Police, Fateh Singh Brar, confirmed that a case has been registered in accordance with legal procedures to formally investigate the matter.
The recovery of the dismembered body has sent shockwaves through the community, raising concerns about the safety of children. The police have appealed to the public for any information that could assist in identifying the child or providing clues about the perpetrator. The lack of any immediate leads underscores the challenging nature of the case, which involves a young victim and a lack of witnesses or evidence at the scene.
The incident highlights the critical need for swift identification in such cases, as it is often the key to unlocking further details about the crime. The geographical spread of the Bhakra Canal, which passes through multiple districts, further complicates the tracing of the body’s movement or origin. Patiala Police are continuing their efforts to gather information and have requested cooperation from neighbouring police forces.
The investigation remains active, with authorities pursuing all available avenues to bring closure to this disturbing case. The absence of the child’s head and the precise cause of death will be clearer once the full post-mortem report is available. In the interim, the Patiala Police remain committed to uncovering the truth behind the headless body found in the Bhakra Canal.
❤️ Support Independent Journalism
Your contribution keeps our reporting free, fearless, and accessible to everyone.
Or make a one-time donation
Secure via Razorpay • 12 monthly payments • Cancel anytime before next cycle
(We don't allow anyone to copy content. For Copyright or Use of Content related questions, visit here.)
The Chenab Times News Desk
