The murder of Bareilly-based event manager Pooja Rana (30) has exposed a chilling example of how digital tools can be used not only to commit crimes but also to manipulate investigations in their aftermath. What initially appeared to be a case of disappearance gradually unravelled into a carefully planned homicide, marked by deliberate misuse of a mobile phone and social media to mislead both family members and investigators.
The case centres on Vimal Diwakar, a physiotherapist, who has been arrested as the prime accused. Pooja was reported missing on January 12 after she left home and failed to return. In the early days, the matter was treated as a missing person case, with no immediate signs of violence. However, technical evidence and surveillance footage later revealed a far more disturbing sequence of events.
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Investigators found that Vimal had taken Pooja in his car on the day she disappeared. During the drive, he allegedly strangled her to death. Instead of immediately disposing of the body, the accused continued to travel with the body inside the vehicle for several hours, a move believed to have been aimed at avoiding suspicion while he planned the next steps.
Following the murder, Vimal retained Pooja’s mobile phone. He was aware of the device’s password and ensured it remained switched off for an extended period. During this time, he closely monitored the actions of Pooja’s family as they searched for her and initiated a missing complaint. When public attention and enquiries began to intensify, the accused left Bareilly and travelled to Delhi.
It was in Delhi that the digital deception was put into motion. Using Pooja’s phone, Vimal switched the device back on and posted a message on her Instagram account stating, “Do not look for me. I have got married.” The message was intended to convey that Pooja had willingly left her previous life and severed contact. For a brief period, the post succeeded in creating confusion and slowing the momentum of the search.
However, the family found the message inconsistent with Pooja’s behaviour and immediately alerted investigators. The phone’s location was traced to Delhi, prompting a shift in the direction of the probe. By the time teams reached the area, the accused had already moved on, but the trail he left behind proved critical.
The investigation took a decisive turn when CCTV footage surfaced, showing Vimal travelling with Pooja in his car shortly before her disappearance. The footage directly contradicted his earlier claims and dismantled the false narrative of voluntary absence. Confronted with the evidence, the accused broke down during questioning and admitted to killing Pooja.
The inquiry further revealed that Vimal attempted to destroy physical evidence alongside the digital cover-up. Pooja’s scooter was initially parked at a public location within the city to suggest routine movement. The following day, Vimal and an associate took the vehicle out of town and dumped it into the Sharda canal in the Pooranpur area of Pilibhit, hoping to permanently eliminate a key link to the crime.
The scooter was later recovered, reinforcing suspicions of a coordinated effort to erase traces of the murder. During interrogation, Vimal disclosed the involvement of a friend from the Izzatnagar area, who allegedly assisted in disposing of the scooter. Efforts are ongoing to trace and apprehend the accomplice.
A post-mortem examination confirmed that Pooja died due to strangulation. Investigators are also examining the possibility that the murder was motivated by robbery, as indications suggest valuables and cash may have been taken. All financial and personal links between the victim and the accused are under scrutiny.
The case highlights a troubling trend in modern crime, where technology is used not only for communication but as a strategic tool to mislead investigations. The Pooja Rana murder serves as a stark reminder that digital footprints, when carefully analysed, can both conceal and ultimately reveal the truth.
The accused remains in judicial custody as investigators continue to piece together the full extent of the conspiracy and identify all those involved.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
