Bengal man's body exhumed in Jharkhand after alleged abduction and murder

On Friday, the body of 35-year-old Zakir Hussain from Dalkhol in North Dinajpur district, West Bengal, was exhumed from Champanagar forest in Jharkhand's Seraikela-Kharsawan district. This grim discovery follows reports that Hussain was allegedly abducted and murdered. Hussain traveled to Kandra police station on September 26 after being invited by Videsh Mardi, who had previously worked as his assistant in Bengaluru.

Mardi reportedly told Hussain he wanted to introduce him to potential labourers for his business. However, during this meeting, Mardi allegedly assaulted Hussain and extorted over Rs 95,000, which he transferred to a friend's account. The situation escalated when Mardi contacted Hussain’s wife, demanding an additional Rs 50,000 and threatening to kill Hussain if she did not comply. Concerned for her husband’s safety, Hussain's wife promptly reported the incident to the police, fearing he had been kidnapped for ransom.

A joint operation by West Bengal police and Kandra police led to Mardi's arrest on Friday after they tracked his mobile phone's location. During interrogation, Mardi attempted to mislead the police, but investigators remained focused on uncovering the truth. Authorities located the burial site based on information gathered during the investigation and exhumed Hussain's body in the presence of a magistrate. The body was sent for a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death.

Additionally, Hussain's belongings, including his bag and mobile phone, were recovered from the forest, providing further evidence against Mardi. The investigation is ongoing, with police looking into the details surrounding the abduction, extortion, and subsequent murder. Mardi now faces serious charges, including kidnapping and murder, as the case unfolds.