Man Presumed Dead Found Alive, Police Restart Murder Probe
Police in Sambhal faced an extraordinary situation when a man they had cremated as a murder victim turned up alive nearly three weeks later. The discovery forced investigators to restart a murder case they believed was already solved.
The Mistaken Identification
On December 24, police found a body by the roadside in Narayan Tola, Bahjoi. The victim's skull showed crushing injuries indicating deliberate assault. A bag discovered nearby provided no helpful clues about the person's identity.
With no fingerprints or DNA evidence available, officers relied on visual identification. They summoned two brothers of Sushil Kumar from Delhi and Kashi. The brothers examined the body and confirmed it was their sibling.
They recognized a distinctive tattoo and matched the general frame and features. Based on this identification, police recorded the death as murder. They conducted a postmortem examination and proceeded with cremation of the body.
The Unexpected Turn
What changed everything was information from one of Kumar's former associates. During questioning, this individual told investigators he had seen Kumar alive after December 24.
The man later brought Kumar directly to the police station. Officers were stunned to find the 44-year-old walking through a busy crossing in Sambhal, completely alive though somewhat confused.
Bahjoi SHO Sant Kumar admitted the resemblance was remarkable. "The similarity was so striking that even we would not have questioned the brothers' claim," he said. "He looked exactly like the man we discovered. The tattoo, the physical build - everything appeared to match."
Investigation Complications
Sambhal additional SP Anukriti Sharma revealed the family had initially hesitated to file a formal complaint. "They informed us they had severed all connections with him," she explained.
Police eventually persuaded them to register a murder case, which launched the investigation. Now authorities face significant challenges. The actual victim's body has been cremated, eliminating any possibility of DNA testing for identification.
Kumar himself has not provided any statements since being found. Police confirmed they questioned him but clarified he is not considered a suspect in the murder case.
Family Distance
The family has maintained their distance from Kumar throughout this ordeal. One relative expressed their position clearly. "For our family, he ceased to exist years ago," they stated. "We want no association with him whatsoever."
Kumar reportedly has a history of petty thefts in the Sambhal region and on trains. He had not maintained contact with family members for several years before this incident.
Police now face the difficult task of identifying the real murder victim whose body they cremated. The investigation continues as officers work to determine who was actually killed and why.
