Patna: A Class X student who allegedly left home due to pressure related to studies and other family issues was rescued safely by Patna Police within 36 hours after she went missing from the Khagaul area. The search operation began from Bihar to West Bengal and back to Patna before the girl was traced near Patna Junction.According to police, the girl’s family approached Khagaul police after she failed to return home from school. During the initial search, her school bag and uniform were found near the railway tracks in the yard adjoining Danapur station, triggering concerns about her safety.A case was registered under Sections 137(2) and 96 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita on Aug 10, following which police launched an investigation. On the directions of Patna SSP Kartikeya K Sharma, a special investigation team was formed under the leadership of ASP (Danapur-I) Ajit Kumar.City SP (West) Sanket Kumar said the team used technical and human intelligence to trace the girl. Initial leads suggested she was in West Bengal, prompting a police team to travel there. However, her location kept changing, requiring continuous tracking, he said.Police eventually traced her movement back towards Patna and rescued her near Patna Junction within 36 hours of the case being registered.During questioning, the girl told investigators that she and a friend had become acquainted with a boy from Asansol through Instagram. Police said she left home with her friend and the boy, identified as Vishal Kumar, a resident of Asansol. “Vishal has been identified as a suspect in the case, and raids are underway to arrest him,” the SP said.Police are investigating the circumstances under which the minor travelled to West Bengal and later returned to Patna.
