Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh: The body of a 16-year-old girl from Sitapur district, who went missing in mid-December, was recovered from the Sharda canal under the Fatehpur police station limits in Barabanki on January 1. Preliminary findings suggest that the girl, Mahakpreet Kaur, died by suicide, police officials said on Monday.

Mahakpreet, a first-year BBA student from Nevarajpur village in Sitapur’s Biswan area, was found with a rope tied around her waist, with the other end loose. Her motorcycle and school bag were discovered on the canal bank near the site. A purported suicide note, written in Punjabi in Roman script, was recovered from her bag. It read: “Papa, I won’t come to you even in your dreams. I am ending my life because of my mistakes. Love you, Dad,” police said.

The discovery of the body caused initial confusion. Because the body had been in the water for several days and Mahakpreet was wearing trousers, a shirt, a belt, and a turban, she was initially presumed to be male. The body remained in the mortuary for 72 hours until alerts were sent to neighbouring districts. Her father, Jagdeep Singh, accompanied by relatives and community members, reached the mortuary on Sunday and identified her as Mahakpreet.

According to the family, Mahakpreet had left home on December 15 to attend college but did not return. A missing person complaint was lodged at Biswan police station, and her motorcycle was found the next day near the Sharda Sahayak canal, raising concerns about her whereabouts.

Jagdeep Singh alleged that his daughter had been harassed by a youth named Nishant from their district. He said Mahakpreet had confided in her younger sister but did not inform her parents out of fear of social stigma.

Barabanki Superintendent of Police Arpit Vijayvargiya stated that all aspects of the case were being thoroughly investigated. “The exact cause of death will be confirmed after the postmortem report,” he said.

City Circle Officer Jagatram Kannaujia added that police are also examining the circumstances surrounding the rope found tied around Mahakpreet’s waist. Biswan police are investigating all angles to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the incident.

This tragic incident has highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by young women, particularly concerning harassment and societal pressures. Authorities have urged families and communities to remain vigilant and report any threats or harassment to the police promptly.