Overview

• The victims were identified as Dhanwantri Devi and her children, Suhani Kumari, 9, and Yash Kumar, 5, all from Champaran, Bihar.
• Their bodies were found on September 8 beneath a culvert along NH-44 at Rattanbass near Banihal and were sent to SDH Banihal for post-mortem by a board of doctors.
• Anil Kumar of Champaran was traced to Mir Bazar in Qazigund, Kulgam, and arrested following an SIT-led investigation using CCTV, driver accounts, and digital payment tracking.
• Police say the suspect admitted involvement during questioning, with an alleged motive linked to an illicit relationship and pressure to marry.
• Investigators are completing evidence collection, with plans to file a chargesheet seeking a fast-track trial and capital punishment under the 'rarest of the rare' rubric.