Ranchi, June 25 (IANS) In a fresh development in the case of 18-year-old Pushpa Kumari, who went missing nearly 11 months ago from Jharkhand’s Bokaro district, the DNA extracted from a tooth of the recovered skeletal remains matches Pushpa’s DNA profile, as per a forensic report.

This was revealed in the Jharkhand High Court on Thursday during a hearing in the case based on the report of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Kolkata.

However, the DNA of the entire skeleton has not yet been completely matched with that of Pushpa’s parents.

Pushpa, a resident of the Pindrajora police station area in Bokaro, went missing on July 31, 2025. After failing to find any trace of her for a prolonged period, her mother, Rekha Devi, filed a habeas corpus petition in the Jharkhand High Court seeking her recovery.

During the investigation, the police arrested Dinesh Kumar Mahto based on technical evidence and interrogation. According to the police, the accused confessed to having murdered the girl. A human skeleton was later recovered from a location identified by him.

However, Pushpa’s family has consistently disputed the police’s claim, maintaining that the recovered skeletal remains do not belong to her. In view of this dispute, the High Court had directed that DNA samples of the skeleton and the girl’s family be sent to the CFSL in Kolkata.

During Thursday’s hearing, the court was apprised of the forensic findings. Members of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) were also present in the court.

The High Court has now sought details of the proceedings underway in the lower court in connection with the case.

The court also asked the state government what action has been taken so far against police officials allegedly negligent in the investigation.

It further directed the police to complete the inquest (panchnama) of the recovered skeleton and other necessary legal formalities.

The court was informed that Pushpa’s family is still unwilling to accept that the recovered remains are hers.

The High Court, in its observation, said that further action must be taken strictly in accordance with the available scientific evidence and legal provisions. The matter will continue to be heard.

–IANS

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