Youth murdered and buried under soil:Private parts reportedly missing, legs severed; villagers stage protest at construction site

A 19-year-old youth was found murdered in the Mohasa industrial area of Narmadapuram district in Madhya Pradesh. His body had allegedly been buried under a heap of soil. Police identified the deceased as Atul Yadav, a resident of the Malakhedi area. He worked in soil-filling operations for the construction of Daawat company’s plant in the Mohasa industrial area. His birthday was due on 16 May. The body bore multiple stab wounds and was found in a severely mutilated condition. The intestines were protruding and the legs appeared separated. Family members alleged that private parts were missing, although police have not officially confirmed this. After the body was recovered nearly 18 hours later, angry villagers created a ruckus and vandalised a JCB machine at the site. See pictures related to the incident- Atul was working at site until 2–3 am According to family members, Atul was working at the construction site until around 2 am to 3 am on Thursday night. During this period, he reportedly spoke to someone on his mobile phone. Shortly afterwards, he disappeared. Concern grew when he failed to return home late at night. On Friday morning, family members searched for him and reached the Mohasa industrial area, but could not find any trace of him. Family suspected murder, filed missing report After Atul went missing, relatives reached Makhan Nagar police station and lodged a missing person complaint. During the complaint, family members expressed suspicion that Atul had been murdered and his body buried under the soil heaps at the construction site. Excavation carried out for nearly nine hours Following the allegations, the administration and police launched a search operation. Tehsildar Mahendra Chauhan, Naib Tehsildar Sunil Garhwal and police teams reached the spot. Excavation work began to remove large heaps of soil from the construction site. JCB and Poclain machines were used to dig across the entire area. The search operation continued for around nine hours. At approximately 6:15 pm, a body buried inside a mound of soil was recovered. It was later identified as Atul Yadav. The body was found in a badly mutilated condition with deep injuries at several places. Family alleges body was buried to hide murder Family members and villagers alleged that Atul had been brutally murdered and that an attempt was later made to conceal the crime by burying the body in soil. Relatives claimed the body was crushed so badly that even private parts were missing. However, authorities have not officially confirmed this claim. Villagers create ruckus after body recovered Tension escalated at the site immediately after the body was found. Angry relatives and villagers refused to allow the body to be removed. They demanded that the Collector and the contractor overseeing the construction work be called to the spot. Villagers said the body would not be shifted until responsible officials arrived. Several villagers accused the company management of serious negligence and alleged there were no proper safety arrangements for labourers working at the site. In anger, villagers smashed the glass panels of a JCB machine parked nearby. Some people also allegedly attempted to set the machine on fire. Police from four stations deployed Amid the unrest, police personnel from four police stations reached the area. Makhan Nagar Police Station in-charge Akashdeep, Sohagpur Police Station in-charge Rahul Raikwar, Dehat Police Station in-charge Saurabh Pandey and Kotwali Police Station in-charge Kanchan Singh Thakur reached the spot with force. Police managed to control the situation and prevented the JCB from being set ablaze. Tension continued to prevail in the area. Villagers refused to move body until late evening SDM Jai Solanki and Tehsildar Mahendra Chauhan tried to persuade the villagers and family members to allow the body to be removed. Despite repeated appeals, villagers remained adamant until late at night. The body reportedly remained at the spot until around 8:30 pm. SDM Jai Solanki said Atul Yadav’s body had been found buried under soil and recovered in an injured condition. He confirmed that four people who worked with Atul had been detained and were being questioned. Dumper drivers questioned in the case Tehsildar Mahendra Chauhan said two dumper drivers had also been questioned during the investigation. According to one driver’s statement, Atul had opened the dumper tailgate and unloaded the soil before leaving the spot. When another dumper later arrived to unload soil, the driver reportedly did not find Atul there. He then informed the employee responsible for dumper entries that Atul was missing from the site. Police examining call records and last location According to Makhan Nagar police, investigators are scrutinising Atul’s mobile call details, his last known location and the labourers present at the site during the night. Police are also trying to determine whom Atul was speaking to between 2 am and 3 am and how he disappeared shortly afterwards.