Shillong, July 15: The.mystery involving a body found in a forest area after the murder of a girl in Williamnagar was solved following a DNA match.
It was revealed that the body was found to be that of the missing man James R Sangma, who murdered the girl in Williamnagar, East Garo Hills.
But the mystery as to whether it was a suicide or a murder continues. The body of James was in a hanging position.
Giving the background, the Superintendent of Police, East Garo Hills District, Pawar Swapnil Vasantrao, said in a statement that on July 18, 2025 around 8:35 pm, Williamnagar Women Police Station received a written First Information Report alleging that one female had been brutally assaulted with a machete by James R. Sangma at Village Samgong about 4 pm on the same day, resulting in her death.
Accordingly, Williamnagar Women Police Station Case No. 13/2015 under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 was registered, and investigation was taken up immediately.
Accused absconds
Following the incident, the accused, James, absconded. Search operations were launched, and sustained efforts were made by the District Police to apprehend him by adopting all lawful investigative measures. Despite exhaustive efforts, the accused could not be traced, the SP said.
Body found
However, on July 29, 2025, a highly decomposed unidentified male body was recovered from Village Dawa Matchakolgre under Williamnagar Police Station. The wearing apparel found on the deceased was first identified by the family members as that of the absconding accused James. During the search and examination of the body, a mobile phone and a rosary were recovered from the pocket of the deceased’s trousers, which were subsequently identified by the family members as belonging to James Consequently, a separate cognizable case was registered at Williamnagar Police Station vide Williamnagar PS case No. 23/2025 U/s 103(1)/238(a) BNS and investigation into the identity of the deceased as well as the circumstances leading to his death was taken up.
DNA analysis
“To scientifically ascertain the identity of the deceased, biological samples collected during the post-mortem examination, along with blood samples of the siblings of James, were forwarded to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) for DNA profiling and expert opinion. The CFSL reported that the biological samples of the unknown deceased exhibited a biological relationship with the siblings of James. The scientific findings, read in conjunction with the oral, documentary and other corroborative evidence collected during the course of investigation, established that the deceased was James, the alleged accused in the murder of the woman in Williamnagar Women Police Station Case No. 13/2025U/S 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
James is also a named and wanted accused in connection with another case registered vide Williamnagar Women Police Station Case No. 14/2024 U/S 3(a)/4 of POCSO Act.
Upon completion of the investigation, the final form in connection with Williamnagar Women Police Station Case No. 13/2025 U/S 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 has been submitted before the competent court in accordance with law.
The district police reiterated that the investigation has been conducted in a fair, impartial, professional and scientific manner, and that all available legal, scientific and investigative measures have been undertaken to ensure that the truth is brought before the court and justice is pursued strictly in accordance with law.
“As the matter is now sub-judice before the competent court, the district police appealed to the public to refrain from speculation or the dissemination of misinformation. The district police remains steadfast in its commitment to uphold the rule of law and to ensure that justice is served through the due process of law”, the SP added.
