'Missing' army JCO's body found hanging in Bokaro

BOKARO: The body of an army office, who reportedly went missing on October 8 while returning home to Umaria in Madhya Pradesh, was found hanging from a tree near North Cabin of Bokaro Railway Station under Balidih police station on Thursday.

A case of kidnapping was registered in Khelgaon police station when Subedar Major Pushpendra Singh Chauhan (47) reportedly went missing after leaving his camp 163, Medium Regiment in Ranchi.

Preliminary investigation indicates that Chauhan was murdered. The army personnel's body, which was found in a decomposed state, was identified through his uniform and the driving license seized from his pocket.

Superintendent of police (SP) Y S Ramesh said, "A post mortem has been conducted by a three-member medical board. Besides, viscera samples have been preserved. If required, the samples will be sent for DNA test."

Police suspect Chauhan died ten days ago. "The stink emanating from the body caught the attention of locals who immediately alerted the police," Ramesh said. A team of army officers from Deepatoli and Namkom arrived at the spot to probe the incident. A dog squad also held a search at the spot.