Fatehpur/Kanpur: The case of Ritu Devi, who went missing six years ago, appears to be nearing its legal conclusion. After a prolonged and multi-layered investigation, a central agency has filed a closure report before the court, stating that no further concrete leads remain to pursue the probe. Meanwhile, the three named accused in the case remain in judicial custody, with trial proceedings on pending charges continuing.
The case pertains to Ritu Devi, a 22-year-old woman from a village in the Kalyanpur police station area. She was married in the Saadh area of Kanpur Dehat. According to allegations, on February 23, 2021, Happy Singh and his associates took her along from her parental home, after which she never returned. Acting on a habeas corpus petition filed by her family, the court directed registration of an FIR on December 10, 2021, formally initiating the investigation.
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Search Spanning Multiple States
In the early stages, Ritu’s last known location was traced to Surat in Gujarat. The scope of the investigation was subsequently expanded beyond Uttar Pradesh. Following local inquiries and digital analysis, a Special Investigation Team was formed. Teams conducted searches in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Bihar. Nearly 200 mobile call detail records were examined, and suspected contacts, hideouts, and financial transactions were scrutinized. However, no conclusive evidence emerged.
High Court Monitoring and Central Agency Probe
Given the gravity of the case, the High Court periodically sought progress reports. Amid continued monitoring, the probe was handed over to a central agency in February 2024. The agency announced a reward of ₹3 lakh for credible information about Ritu’s whereabouts. Posters were put up in parts of Mumbai and Gujarat. Mobile connections linked to her Aadhaar number were examined, and data from the National Population Register was cross-verified. Telecom companies were asked to provide details of Aadhaar-linked SIM cards, but no substantial breakthrough was achieved.
Narco Test and Unverified Claims
During the course of the investigation, it surfaced that Ritu had been communicating with Happy Singh using her sister-in-law’s mobile phone. In this connection, a narco test of the sister-in-law was conducted on November 28, 2025. The report mentioned a purported call in which Ritu allegedly stated that she would not return to her village, family, or husband. However, this claim could not be independently verified.
Closure Report Filed, Trial Against Accused Continues
In its eight-page closure report, detailing around 30 key points, the agency informed the court that available evidence suggests Ritu may have left voluntarily. There is no direct proof establishing whether she is alive or deceased. On this basis, closure reports have been submitted before the High Court and the concerned district court.
The three accused — Happy Singh, Rahi Singh, and Sanjay Singh — continue to face charges related to abduction and wrongful confinement. All three are currently in judicial custody. The court will now invite objections to the closure report before determining the next course of legal action.
Despite six years of investigation, technical analysis, and inter-state searches, the absence of any concrete trace of Ritu Devi leaves several questions unanswered. Her family continues to hold on to hope that a crucial lead may yet surface. For now, all eyes remain on the court’s forthcoming decision.
