The body of 26-year-old Rosmita Hojai, a resident of Hojai village near Haflong in Assam’s Dima Hasao district, was recovered on Tuesday from the banks of a river in Uttarakhand’s Pauri Garhwal district, five days after she was reported missing in New Delhi. The discovery has sparked outrage and raised serious questions about the circumstances surrounding her death.
Rosmita had travelled to Delhi on June 4 to appear for the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) examination, a crucial step in her career aspirations. The engineering graduate from Haryana, who was currently residing in Guwahati while preparing for the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) examination, was last heard from on the evening of June 5 when she called her mother to inform her that she was returning home by train.
Mysterious Disappearance Turns Tragic
That phone call on June 5 evening would be the last time anyone heard from Rosmita. Her phone remained unreachable, and despite frantic efforts by family members and authorities, she could not be located until her body was discovered in Uttarakhand, hundreds of kilometers away from where she was last seen.
Authorities have confirmed that her body has been sent for post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death. The unexpected location of the discovery has raised numerous questions about how and why Rosmita ended up in Uttarakhand when she was supposed to be returning to Assam from Delhi.
Two Men Detained, Claims Under Scrutiny
Police have detained two individuals in connection with the case: Hemant Sharma from Mohindergarh, Delhi, and Pankaj Kokar from Rohtak, Haryana. The duo had approached the Shivpuri Police Station in Uttarakhand, claiming that Rosmita was swept away by a river during what they described as an accidental drowning.
However, their account has raised serious doubts, particularly among Rosmita’s family members, who have questioned why the incident was reported in Uttarakhand when she was last confirmed to be in Delhi. The discrepancy between the men’s claims and the known facts has become a focal point of the investigation.
Family Demands Justice
Rosmita’s sudden disappearance and the mysterious circumstances surrounding her death have triggered widespread outrage and concern among people in Assam and the Northeast community in Delhi. The case has highlighted safety concerns for young women from the Northeast who travel to other parts of the country for educational and career opportunities.
“We have detained the two individuals who were last seen with the victim and have begun our investigation. The cause of death will be determined after the post-mortem report is received,” a police official stated, emphasizing that all angles are being thoroughly examined.
Rosmita’s grieving family has demanded a thorough and impartial investigation, calling for justice for their daughter whose promising future was cut tragically short. The family’s anguish has been compounded by the confusing circumstances and the geographic distance between where she disappeared and where her body was found.
Multi-State Investigation Underway
With the incident now spanning multiple states and jurisdictions, police forces from Delhi, Uttarakhand, and Assam are expected to coordinate closely as the investigation progresses. The case presents unique challenges given the interstate nature of the crime and the need to piece together Rosmita’s movements across different states.
The tragic death of the young engineering graduate has also reignited discussions about the safety and security of students, particularly women from northeastern states, who travel to other parts of India for educational and professional opportunities. As the investigation continues, authorities face mounting pressure to provide answers about what exactly happened to Rosmita Hojai in the days between her RRB examination and the discovery of her body in Uttarakhand.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by young people pursuing their dreams far from home, and the urgent need for comprehensive safety measures to protect them during their journeys.
