Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Pregnant Teen Found Beheaded; Four Arrested in Dhanbad
Police found a 17-year-old girl named Poonam Kumari dead in a forest in Dhanbad.
Her body and head were found separately, about 100 metres apart.
Poonam was three months pregnant.
She had been missing since Wednesday.
Police arrested four people connected to the case, including her husband and members of his family.
Investigators say Poonam’s father-in-law may have planned the killing because he opposed the relationship.
A slipper found at the scene reportedly helped police trace the case to the accused family’s home.
Some local people suspected a ritual killing because ritual items were found nearby, but police said it was too early to conclude that.
The investigation, forensic examination and post-mortem are continuing.
Police found the headless body of 17-year-old Poonam Kumari in a forest area of Dhanbad, Jharkhand.
Her severed head was recovered in a plastic sack about 100 metres from her torso.
Poonam, who was three months pregnant, had been missing since Wednesday.
Police arrested four people, including her husband Krish Ravani, his father Jayram Ravani and aunt Alomani Devi.
Police allege Jayram planned the killing because he opposed his son’s relationship and marriage to Poonam; a human-sacrifice theory remains unconfirmed.
- Who
- The victim was 17-year-old Poonam Kumari; police arrested four suspects, including her husband Krish Ravani, his father Jayram Ravani and his aunt Alomani Devi.
- What
- Poonam was found beheaded, with her torso and severed head discovered separately.
- When
- She was reported missing on Wednesday; her body was found on Friday morning.
- Where
- Her torso was found in the Kherbadia forest area of Baliapur, Dhanbad district, Jharkhand, and her head was found about 100 metres away.
- Why
- Police allege that her father-in-law arranged the killing because he opposed his son’s relationship and marriage to Poonam; the investigation is ongoing.
Local Rumors
Police Position
Possible human sacrifice
Local Rumors
Locals suspected a human-sacrifice ritual after incense sticks and other ritual items were found near the scene.
Police Position
Police said it would be premature to draw conclusions about a ritual killing before the investigation is complete.
Motive for the killing
Local Rumors
Poonam’s family described opposition to her relationship and marriage, including earlier disputes involving Krish and a village panchayat.
Police Position
Police allege that Jayram Ravani orchestrated the crime because he opposed the marriage and felt it had caused social embarrassment.
- Victim
- Poonam Kumari, 17
- Pregnancy
- Three months pregnant
- Location
- Kherbadia forest area, Baliapur, Dhanbad district, Jharkhand
- Arrests
- Four people arrested
- Recovery
- Severed head found in a plastic sack approximately 100 metres from the torso
- Investigation
- Forensic evidence, fingerprints, blood samples and a dog squad are being used
- Next step
- Post-mortem examination and preparation of a charge sheet