Ranchi Father & Son Arrested for Killing Minor over ‘Social Stigma’

Ranchi: In a chilling case that has shocked Jharkhand, the Ranchi Police have uncovered a murder involving a minor girl allegedly killed by her adoptive family to protect their “social reputation.” The accused reportedly transported the body to Gaya, Bihar, for a secret cremation to destroy all evidence.

What began as a missing person report from the Ratu Police Station area quickly escalated into a murder investigation, exposing a dark crime committed behind closed doors.

The Background and Disappearance

The prime accused, Subodh Pathak of Jhakhra Tand, had brought the girl from an impoverished family eight years ago, reportedly raising her as his own. However, her sudden disappearance under suspicious circumstances recently alerted neighbors. When the family offered no clear explanation, local residents grew wary.

The situation reached a breaking point on the night of April 2, when concerned villagers gathered outside the Pathak residence, suspecting foul play.

Police Investigation and Confession

Responding to the outcry, police and a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team searched the house. While initial searches were inconclusive, the Ranchi SSP formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) following an FIR on April 3.

Through technical surveillance and interrogation, police broke the duo. Subodh Pathak and his son, Rahul, confessed to murdering the girl inside their home. They revealed they had hired an ambulance to transport the body to Gaya for a hurried cremation.

Motive: Enrage Over Social Stigma

The accused cited “lok-laj” (fear of social stigma) as their primary motive. According to their statements:

• The girl had established contact with Rahul Pathak’s brother-in-law via Instagram.

• This contact evolved into a close relationship.

• Enraged by the association, the father and son conspired to kill her to “save” the family’s honor.

“The accused claimed his ’13-year-old daughter’ had died naturally to hire the vehicle for the last rites,” the ambulance driver, Pintu Kumar Singh, told investigators.

Current Status

Police have seized the ambulance and recovered two mobile phones currently undergoing forensic analysis. Ratu Police Station in-charge Adikant Mahto and his team led the operation that resulted in the arrests.

Both Subodh and Rahul Pathak have been sent to judicial custody as police continue to gather evidence to establish the full sequence of events.