Terror struck Giridih in Jharkhand after JMM stalwart and ex-District Council President Rakesh Mahato was savagely murdered. His mutilated, half-charred body emerged from a jungle patch close to Ghutwali, plunging supporters into mourning and sparking widespread protests.
Dawn broke on a grim scene Friday when forest-goers spotted the remains and rushed to inform Nimiaghat police. A large contingent of officers, including senior officials, descended on the site, initiating a meticulous crime scene examination. Evidence points to a violent beating preceding the homicide, with killers torching the corpse in a bid to erase traces.
Preliminary details indicate Mahato left home after receiving a late-night call around midnight—his phone’s last signal. Investigators are delving into telecommunications data to trace the mysterious caller.
From the legislative assembly’s budget proceedings, Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu paid emotional tribute. Describing Mahato as an indefatigable party worker, he assured relentless pursuit of justice.
The killing provoked fury, with grieving locals rallying on streets for culprit arrests. Police dispersed crowds while pledging breakthroughs soon. This incident spotlights the urgent need for enhanced security amid rising political animosities in the state.