States » NorthPosted at: Oct 31 2026 6:54PM


Haryana court rejects CBI closure report in Manisha death case, orders fresh probe

Chandigarh, Oct 31 (UNI) A special CBI court in Haryana's Panchkula on Saturday rejected the Central Bureau of Investigation's closure report in the death of 19-year-old schoolteacher Manisha and ordered a fresh investigation under the supervision of a senior IPS officer, according to information provided by the victim's family.
The ruling came after Manisha's father, Sanjay Kumar, challenged the federal agency's conclusion that his daughter had died by suicide, alleging serious shortcomings in its investigation and questioning the authenticity of crucial forensic evidence.
The court's reported decision to reopen the investigation marks a significant development in a case that triggered widespread protests across Haryana last year and prompted the state government to transfer the investigation from the police to the CBI.
Manisha, a resident of Dhani Laxman village in Bhiwani district, disappeared on August 11, 2025, after leaving home for her teaching job at a playschool. Her body was discovered in fields near Singhani village two days later.
Her family alleged she had been murdered, rejecting the police investigation that subsequently pointed to suicide.
The CBI, which took over the investigation following public protests, submitted a closure report in August 2026, concluding that Manisha had died by suicide after consuming an insecticide.
The family challenged those findings before the special court, raising questions about two purported suicide notes, handwriting examination reports, medical evidence and the circumstances surrounding the recovery of the body.
During the proceedings, the family's lawyer, Harsh Mohan Singh, argued that the investigation had failed to adequately address discrepancies in the evidence, including questions over whether the handwriting on the purported suicide notes matched Manisha's.
The family also questioned the forensic findings and sought a further investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding her death.
The court heard arguments on October 15 before postponing its decision, initially to October 28 and subsequently to October 31.
Welcoming Saturday's reported ruling, Manisha's father said the family had renewed hope of securing justice.
"The CBI submitted a closure report declaring my daughter's death a suicide, but we challenged it. After the court's decision, we have regained hope of getting justice," Sanjay Kumar said.
He maintained that the family had never accepted the suicide conclusion and wanted investigators to examine all evidence independently.
The case had sparked protests by villagers, community organisations and opposition leaders, who demanded an impartial investigation and questioned the handling of the initial police inquiry.
The Haryana government subsequently recommended a CBI investigation after demonstrations continued and the family refused to accept the police findings.
The reported fresh investigation will require the agency to revisit the evidence and address the issues raised by the family before the court.
The rejection of a closure report does not, by itself, establish that Manisha was murdered. The circumstances of her death remain disputed.
UNI NB
Tags: #Haryana court rejects CBI closure report in Manisha death case# orders fresh probe
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