Missing woman found dead at Tarey Bhir cliff in South Sikkim, murder suspected

A 23-year-old woman, Meena Rai, who had been missing for nearly a week, was found dead on Tuesday at Tarey Bhir in Sadam, South Sikkim, prompting police to register a case on suspicion of murder.

Officials said the body was located after a coordinated search by local police units following leads from a missing-person investigation that began earlier this month.

Timeline of the disappearance

According to police records, Meena Rai was last seen on December 31, 2025. Her elder sister filed a missing complaint on January 4, after repeated attempts to contact her failed.

Based on the complaint, Namchi Police registered a Zero FIR on January 5 and launched an immediate probe to trace her movements.

Last known movements and key lead

Investigators established that Meena was last seen with Sanjay Rai, 34, a resident of the same locality. Police said the two had been staying at Namchi Boomtaar before travelling to West Sikkim on January 1.

From there, they reportedly went to Tarey Bhir, a cliffside area known for its steep drops. According to the man’s statement to police, they reached the site around 11 pm, stayed at the Second Shed (Hawaghar/Chawtara) until about 4 am on January 2, after which he returned home alone. He told investigators he had no contact with Meena thereafter.

Body recovered after joint search

Acting on this information, a joint search team from Melli Police Station and Sadam Police Post conducted a focused operation at Tarey Bhir. The team recovered Meena’s body approximately 864 metres below the Second Shed, confirming fears that she had fallen from the cliff.

Police suspect foul play

In a formal statement, police said there is reasonable suspicion that the man may have intentionally killed the woman and disposed of her body from the cliff to prevent its discovery.

A case has been registered at Melli Police Station under Sections 103 and 238 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which deal with serious criminal offences including homicide and destruction of evidence.

Authorities confirmed that further investigation is underway, including forensic examination and verification of statements.

Why this case matters

The incident has raised fresh concerns about safety in remote and poorly guarded locations across the region. It also underscores the importance of rapid response in missing-person cases, where early tracking of movements can be crucial in preventing or solving violent crimes.

Police officials said the investigation will determine the exact sequence of events and establish responsibility based on evidence, witness accounts, and forensic findings.

What to watch next

• Whether police formally arrest and charge the suspect following evidence review.
• Results of post-mortem and forensic analysis that may clarify the cause of death.
• Any additional security measures or advisories for visitors to high-risk cliff areas like Tarey Bhir.