Body Found in Forest Confirms Death of Missing Man

The search for Kanhai Mahto, a 35-year-old man reported missing for five days, ended in tragedy with the discovery of his body in the Mathurapuri forest. The area falls under the Patamda police station’s jurisdiction. The body was found late on Monday evening and subsequently identified by his family on Tuesday morning. Kanhai Mahto, who resided in Bangurda village, was known to suffer from mental health challenges. He worked as a daily wage laborer at a grain shop in Kankin Bazaar, supporting his wife and two daughters. He was last seen on Wednesday morning leaving his home, reportedly for prayer, and never reappeared. His family and friends organized a comprehensive search across the local villages and surrounding territories, but their efforts to find him were unsuccessful. He is survived by his wife and two daughters, his parents having passed away. Local accounts describe him as being normal before his disappearance, though his mental illness sometimes led to unusual behavior. Shepherds grazing their livestock near the Macha CHC hospital reported seeing Kanhai heading into the Mathurapuri forest on Wednesday. They noted that he did not reply when they addressed him and moved with haste into the woods. Law enforcement officials stated that evidence indicates Kanhai died by suicide, having hanged himself from a tree. Police were directed to the location by the shepherds on Monday, secured the body, and transported it to the MGM Medical College mortuary. An official investigation has been launched to ascertain the full details of the incident, with suicide being the presumed cause.