A six-month-old missing person case in Madhya Pradesh has turned into a murder investigation after police recovered skeletal remains from a septic tank in Deori town. The victim has been identified as Prince Balmiki, a 22-year-old resident of Sagar district.
Prince was reported missing on August 20, 2025, by his wife, Tulsi. While the case initially saw limited progress, his family continued to press police, saying they believed his disappearance was suspicious. According to media reports, investigators kept the case open due to the family’s concerns.
Police Track Suspect Through Technical Surveillance
The investigation took a major turn when police used mobile tracking and technical surveillance. These efforts reportedly led officers to a man named Shoaib in Narsinghpur district.
Police allege that Shoaib had befriended Prince and introduced him to drugs. Investigators claim that Shoaib met Tulsi secretly while Prince was under the influence. Tensions reportedly increased when Prince learned about the alleged relationship.
Alleged Confession and Recovery of Remains
Investigating officer Inspector Hariram Mankar said that Shoaib told police he intoxicated Prince on August 20 and then killed him.
After his arrest, police took Shoaib to his residence under heavy security. Officers excavated a septic tank behind the house and recovered a skull and bone fragments believed to be Prince’s remains. The samples have been sent for DNA testing to confirm the identity.
Body Allegedly Hidden in Septic Tank
According to investigators, the accused allegedly dumped the body in the septic tank and covered it with waste. Police claim he also spread salt in an attempt to speed up decomposition and destroy evidence.
Officials further allege that after the incident, Shoaib and Tulsi fled to Gujarat and lived together. Videos of the two reportedly reached Prince’s family, which strengthened their suspicions. Acting on these leads, police tracked and arrested Shoaib.
Family Demands Justice
Prince’s brother said the family never believed he had simply disappeared. They continued to demand a thorough investigation.
The Superintendent of Police confirmed that further questioning is underway. Authorities are also examining whether anyone else was involved in the case.
The accused will be produced before a court, and police are expected to seek custody as the investigation continues into a crime that remained hidden for months.
