Indore, India: The naked body of a 25-year-old MBA student was found inside a locked room belonging to her classmate in Indore, triggering shock and outrage. The case has drawn intense scrutiny after it emerged that an obscene video involving the woman had gone viral on a college WhatsApp group just days before her death.
The incident took place in the Dwarkapuri area. Police said the room was locked from the outside, and officers had to break the lock after neighbors complained of a foul smell coming from inside the house.
Student Missing Since February 10
According to police and family members, the woman had been missing since February 10. She had left home with her father that day, saying she needed to correct details on her Aadhaar ID. Later, she informed her younger sister by phone that she was going to attend a birthday party with a classmate and would return home by 11 p.m. She never came back, and her phone was later switched off.
Obscene Video Circulated in College Group
On the same night she went missing, an obscene video was allegedly posted from the woman’s phone to a college WhatsApp group. While the woman’s face was clearly visible, the man in the video had his face concealed with an emoji. College authorities later removed the video and informed the woman’s family, after which a missing person report was filed.
Room Belonged to Classmate, Suspect Absconding
Police said the room where the body was found belongs to Piyush Dhanotia, a resident of Mandsaur and the woman’s MBA classmate. Both were studying at a private institute located on Sanwer Road. The accused is currently absconding, and search operations are underway to trace him.
Family Alleges Police Negligence
The victim’s family has accused the police of negligence, claiming that they had expressed fears about the classmate’s room earlier. A police officer reportedly visited the location but returned after finding the room locked, saying the landlord would be informed. The family alleges that timely action could have saved their daughter.
Investigation Underway
After complaints of a strong odor on Friday, police broke open the lock and discovered the body. A forensic science team has examined the scene, and authorities say the cause of death will be determined after the post-mortem report.
Police are also investigating allegations that the accused used the woman’s phone to circulate the obscene video and send it to contacts saved in her device.
The case has sparked anger among locals and renewed concerns over women’s safety, cyber exploitation, and police response in missing-person cases.