Two minors killed with sharp weapons in Jharkhand's Khunti, bodies dumped near Marangburu hills
Synopsis
Two teenagers attended a Chhau dance programme in Jharkhand's Khunti and never came home. Sixteen-year-old Bisu Pahan and 17-year-old Sumi Mundu were allegedly abducted after a late-night argument, killed with sharp weapons, and their bodies dumped near the Marangburu hills in an apparent bid to destroy evidence. An SIT has been formed; no arrests have been made yet.
Key Takeaways
Bisu Pahan, 16 , and Sumi Mundu, 17 , both residents of Bada Jivri , were found murdered on 18 May in Khunti district, Jharkhand .
Both had attended a Chhau dance programme in the Soyko area on Sunday night before being allegedly abducted and killed.
Bodies were dumped at the foothills of the Marangburu hills , reportedly to destroy evidence.
Khunti SP Rishabh Garg confirmed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted; raids are underway.
Village head Binsai Munda has suggested a possible link to a love affair, though no motive has been officially confirmed.
No arrests have been made as of the latest reports.
Two minors — a 16-year-old boy and a 17-year-old girl — were allegedly murdered with sharp-edged weapons in Khunti district, Jharkhand, their bodies later found dumped at the foothills of the Marangburu hills on Monday, 18 May. The killings, which took place in Model Village Jivri under the limits of Soyko police station, have triggered widespread panic among residents of the area.
Who the Victims Were
The deceased have been identified as Bisu Pahan, 16, and Sumi Mundu, 17, both residents of Bada Jivri. According to police, the two had attended a Chhau dance programme organised in the Soyko area on Sunday night. At around 1 am, Bisu reportedly got into an argument with a group of youths. As the dispute escalated, the attackers allegedly abducted both teenagers, took them to a nearby field, and assaulted them with sharp weapons before killing them.
How the Bodies Were Discovered
After committing the crime, the accused allegedly dumped the bodies at the foothills of the Marangburu hills in an apparent attempt to destroy evidence. Local villagers subsequently spotted the bodies and alerted the authorities. A team from Soyko police station reached the spot, took custody of the remains, and sent them for postmortem examination. The bodies were handed over to the victims' families for the last rites following the autopsy.
What the Police Said
Khunti Superintendent of Police Rishabh Garg confirmed that both minors had attended the Chhau programme and were subsequently murdered. He stated that police are probing all angles and have constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to identify and arrest the accused. Raids are currently underway, he added.
Possible Motive Under Probe
Village head Binsai Munda has expressed apprehension that the incident may be linked to a possible love affair, though police have not confirmed any specific motive. The SIT is expected to examine multiple angles, including the altercation that reportedly triggered the sequence of events. This comes amid broader concerns about the safety of minors in rural Jharkhand, where incidents of violence at public gatherings have drawn attention in recent years.
What Happens Next
The SIT probe is ongoing, with raids being conducted to trace the unidentified assailants. The postmortem report is expected to provide further clarity on the nature of the assault. Authorities have not yet made any arrests in connection with the case.
Point of View
Killing, and deliberate dumping of bodies to destroy evidence suggests premeditation rather than a spontaneous altercation — a distinction the SIT must establish early. Khunti has historically been a district under stress, with a complex social fabric and limited policing reach. The formation of an SIT is procedurally correct, but without swift arrests, the case risks the fate of many rural crime investigations in the state — active for weeks, then quietly cold.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the two minors killed in Khunti, Jharkhand?
The victims were Bisu Pahan, 16 , and Sumi Mundu, 17 , both residents of Bada Jivri in Khunti district, Jharkhand. They were found murdered on 18 May after attending a Chhau dance programme the previous night.
How were the minors killed in Khunti?
According to police, unidentified assailants allegedly abducted both teenagers following a late-night argument at a Chhau dance event and killed them with sharp-edged weapons in a nearby field. Their bodies were then dumped at the foothills of the Marangburu hills, reportedly to destroy evidence.
What action has the Jharkhand police taken in the Khunti murder case?
Khunti Superintendent of Police Rishabh Garg confirmed that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to identify and arrest the accused. Raids are currently underway, though no arrests have been made as of the latest reports.
What is the suspected motive behind the Khunti double murder?
No motive has been officially confirmed by the police, who say they are probing all angles. Village head Binsai Munda has suggested the incident may be linked to a possible love affair, but this remains speculative at this stage.
Where exactly did the Khunti minor murders take place?
The killings allegedly took place in Model Village Jivri under the Soyko police station limits in Khunti district, Jharkhand. The bodies were recovered from the foothills of the Marangburu hills after local villagers alerted the police.
