Shakuntala Devi Found Alive After 12 Years, Police Reopen 2014 Murder Case
Shakuntala Devi, believed murdered in 2014, was found alive in Jharkhand, prompting a fresh investigation into the body recovered from a canal that had been identified as hers. The case, which saw her husband and relatives arrested, now faces new questions about identity and possible misidentificat…
By Felo News Desk · Published
In a startling turn of events, Shakuntala Devi—once thought to have been murdered in 2014—has been discovered alive in a neighboring Indian state. The revelation has reopened a decades‑old murder investigation in Bihar’s Rohtas district and raised new questions about the identity of a body that was recovered from a canal in 2014.
From Disappearance to Arrest
Shakuntala Devi vanished from her marital home in Rohtas in 2014. Her brother reported her missing, citing complaints of dowry harassment by her in‑laws. Two days after the missing‑person report, authorities recovered an unidentified female body from a canal near Khanda village. The body was identified as Shakuntala by her brother and a local official, and a post‑mortem was conducted. The case was upgraded to a murder inquiry, leading to the arrest of her husband, Arun Mehta, and his relatives, including his father Dilip and brother Govind Kumar.
Arun spent time in jail before securing bail, while the legal process continued. The families involved eventually reached a financial settlement, with the Mehta side claiming they had to sell ancestral land to pay an Rs 800,000 demand from Shakuntala’s relatives. The case was largely assumed to be closed, with the presumption that Shakuntala had died.
Unexpected Discovery in Jharkhand
About two months ago, Shakuntala’s father‑in‑law received information that she had been spotted in Jharkhand. Family members traveled to the state and confirmed her identity. Police traced her to Labhari village in Garhwa district, where she had been living under the name Kanti Devi with another man. The authorities brought her back to Rohtas and presented her before a court in Sasaram.
Following her return, police initiated proceedings against her on charges of fraud and criminal conspiracy. The allegations are still under investigation, and no definitive conclusions have been reached regarding her involvement in any wrongdoing.
Re‑opening the 2014 Investigation
The discovery of Shakuntala alive has prompted investigators to revisit the 2014 canal body. Police now aim to determine whether the body recovered in 2014 was indeed Shakuntala or another individual. They will examine how the body was identified, the reliability of the identification by her brother and the local official, and whether any misidentification occurred.
Investigators also plan to investigate the circumstances that led to the body’s placement in the canal, the chain of custody of evidence, and any potential involvement of third parties. The police have stated that they will pursue legal action against anyone found to have committed wrongdoing once the investigation concludes.
Implications and Next Steps
The case highlights the complexities of missing‑person investigations in rural India, where family dynamics, dowry disputes, and limited forensic resources can obscure the truth. With Shakuntala’s survival now confirmed, the legal system must reconcile the earlier murder charges with the new reality.
Moving forward, the court will likely reassess the charges against Arun Mehta and his relatives, potentially leading to a retrial or dismissal of the murder case. The investigation into the canal body may also uncover new evidence that could shift the narrative entirely.
As the investigation unfolds, the public and media remain closely monitoring developments, hoping for clarity on a case that has spanned more than a decade and involved multiple families, legal battles, and a dramatic twist of fate.
Key facts
- Shakuntala Devi found alive after 12 years
- Body recovered in 2014 now under scrutiny
- Arun Mehta and relatives arrested for murder
- Police re‑examining forensic evidence
- Legal outcomes pending
- Case highlights rural investigative challenges
Why it matters
The case underscores the challenges of missing‑person investigations in rural India and the potential for misidentification, impacting justice for families and the integrity of the legal system.
Frequently asked questions
What happened to Shakuntala Devi?
She disappeared in 2014, was presumed dead, but was found alive in Jharkhand in 2026.
Why was a body found in a canal identified as her?
Her brother and a local official identified the body, but the identification is now under investigation.
What charges were brought against her husband?
Arun Mehta was arrested on murder charges related to Shakuntala’s disappearance.
Will the murder case be reopened?
Police are re‑examining the evidence, which could lead to a reassessment of the charges.
What is the next step for the investigation?
Authorities will determine the body’s true identity and pursue legal action against any wrongdoers.
Sources
- [1] gulfnews.com — originally reported as “Her husband went to jail for her 'murder' — 12 years later, she's found alive”
