Hazaribag: Police on Sunday arrested an 18-year-old man for allegedly killing his friend following a dispute and dumping the body in Damodar river in Hazaribag district.The accused, identified as Shani alias Shanichar Ganjhu, allegedly shot Sandeep Thakur, also 18. Both were residents of Kole village under Keredari police station limits.Sandeep had been missing since Aug 25. After failing to locate him, his family lodged a missing person’s complaint on Saturday. Keredari police station officer in-charge Ved Prakash Pandey launched an investigation and detained Shani on suspicion on Sunday.During questioning, Shani allegedly confessed to shooting Sandeep after an altercation and throwing his body into the river, police said.A search of the river led to the recovery of Sandeep’s mobile phone, clothes and slippers. His body, however, remained untraced, and the search operation was continuing.Police also recovered an unidentified body about 3 km downstream and sent it to Hazaribag Sadar Hospital for post-mortem examination.“Based on the investigation and the accused’s statement, we recovered Sandeep’s mobile phone, clothes and slippers from Damodar river. His body is yet to be traced, and the search operation is continuing. We are also investigating the circumstances surrounding the recovery of the unidentified body,” Pandey said.Police said Sandeep had a criminal case registered against him at Keredari police station, while Shani was suspected of having criminal links. Further investigation is under way.
