Haryana Play School Teacher Manisha Murder Case: CBI Probe Ordered After Family's Demand

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced early Wednesday that Haryana government would hand over the investigation into schoolteacher Manisha's death to the Central Bureau of Investigation, yielding to intense pressure from villagers and opposition parties.

The 19-year-old's body was discovered in a field in Bhiwani on August 13, two days after she went missing from her school in Singhani village while reportedly seeking nursing college admission. Police initially claimed investigations pointed to suicide by poison consumption, but the family disputed this theory.

The case sparked massive public outrage in Dhani Laxman village, where residents launched indefinite protests, blocking key roads and demanding arrests. Villagers refused to perform Manisha's last rites until justice was served. As tensions escalated, the state government suspended mobile internet, bulk SMS and dongle services in Bhiwani and Charkhi Dadri districts for 48 hours from Tuesday 11 AM.

In a post-midnight tweet, CM Saini emphasized that the decision aligned with the family's wishes and assured complete transparency in the investigation. "Justice will be delivered," he stated, while defending the state police's initial handling of the case.

Opposition parties, including Congress, had consistently demanded CBI involvement, questioning the suicide theory despite forensic evidence. The case highlights growing public distrust in local investigations and the power of community pressure in demanding accountability.

The CBI takeover marks a significant victory for the victim's family and demonstrates how sustained public protests can influence government decisions in sensitive criminal cases.