Jharkhand: Monsoon rains expose 3-week-old murder, brother arrested for killing sibling in Latehar
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Daltonganj, July 24: A three-week-old murder came to light in Jharkhand’s Latehar district after heavy monsoon rains washed…
SDPO Latehar Sandip Gupta (in khakhee) looking at the Nullah through the trees and shrubs on Wednesday at Chiro village under Chandwa police station limits in Latehar district.
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, July 24: A three-week-old murder came to light in Jharkhand’s Latehar district after heavy monsoon rains washed away the mud and sludge covering a body buried in a seasonal nullah, leading police to arrest the victim’s elder brother for the crime.
According to police, the body of Dayal Topno (40), a resident of Chiro village under Boda Panchayat in Chandwa police station limits, had been concealed beneath slush and sludge in the nullah after he was allegedly murdered on July 1, 2026.
Continuous rainfall caused the nullah to overflow, washing away the mud that had hidden the body. The highly decomposed remains emitted a strong foul smell, alerting residents of the area.
Dayal’s house is located barely 50 metres from the nullah. Disturbed by the unbearable stench, members of his family began searching the area. His sister reached the nullah and discovered a skull, ribs, parts of the limbs and pieces of decayed clothing. She identified the remains as those of her brother, who had been missing since July 1.
The discovery prompted a police investigation that quickly unravelled the murder.
Victim’s elder brother arrested
Speaking to this correspondent, Latehar SDPO Sandeep Kumar Gupta said police recovered the remains on July 22 and sent biological samples to Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi, for DNA profiling.
“The killer of Dayal was none other than his own elder brother, Pascal Topno. He murdered him with a sabbal (a heavy iron rod),” Gupta said.
Police recovered the alleged murder weapon based on the accused’s disclosure. During interrogation, Pascal Topno allegedly confessed to the crime. Investigators said the murder was committed while he was under the influence of alcohol following a minor dispute.
Family believed he had migrated for work
Explaining why the family did not report Dayal missing for nearly three weeks, the SDPO said the victim had often spoken about migrating in search of work during the agricultural season.
“The family believed he had gone outside for employment, as he had expressed his intention to migrate to earn a livelihood. Therefore, they did not suspect any foul play,” Gupta said.
Rain exposed the hidden crime
According to police, after committing the murder, the accused buried the body beneath mud and sludge in the nullah in an attempt to destroy evidence.
“It was the heavy rains and the washing away of the slush and sludge that exposed this secret burial and helped crack the case,” the SDPO said.
The foul smell eventually led the Topno family to the remains of Dayal, bringing an end to weeks of uncertainty.
Describing the nature of the crime, Gupta said, “Pascal acted with complete awareness. He behaved like a merciless killer. He showed no humanity when he buried his murdered brother beneath the slush and sludge in an attempt to conceal the crime.”
Police said Pascal Topno was remanded to judicial custody on July 22 after an FIR was lodged by the victim’s family.
