8-year old who went to mosque and never returned: CBI takes up probe

The boy’s mutilated body was found a week later in the village fields

CBI, rizwan missing case, indian express

After two years, the CBI finally registered an FIR and launched a manhunt for the culprits involved in the mysterious disappearance and killing of eight-year-old Rizwan.

Around two years after the mysterious disappearance and killing of an eight-year-old boy, Rizwan, who had gone to his village mosque in Haryana’s Palwal district, CBI registered an FIR and launched a manhunt to nab the culprits.

Days after Rizwan went missing on December 23, 2021, his mutilated body was reportedly found in the fields of Nagla Ahsanpur village in Palwal district after one week on December 30.

Rizwan, a resident of Khatela Sarai village (Palwal), had gone to a mosque in his village around 5.30 pm on December 23, 2021, but he never returned home after that, disappearing without a trace. A week later his body, with a disfigured face, was found in the fields of Nagla Ahsanpur village on December 30, 2021.

Despite an FIR registered by Haryana Police based on a complaint filed by Rizwan’s father Mustaq, there was no progress in the investigation. Subsequently, Mustaq approached the high court, seeking a CBI investigation into the matter and the court directed the central investigating agency to file an FIR on January 4, 2024.

Sources revealed that a CBI team visited the crime scene and Mustaq’s residence on Wednesday and collected relevant records. Inspector Gurtar Singh, under SP (CBI) Navdeep Singh Brar’s supervision, is leading the investigation.

Talking to The Indian Express, Mustaq said, “Police nai kuch nahi kiya thaa..unho nai to case bhi band kaar diya tha..Rizwan doosri class mai padta tha..sham ko masjid gaya tha..uski laash ek haftai baad mili..police nai mujah bata ki mere bete kai charee paa tezab dala hai..cbi wale aayee thai aaj, mere bete ki photo laye gayi hai.(Police did nothing in the case. They even closed the investigation. My son Rizwan was studying in Class II. He had gone to a local mosque. His body was found after one week. A policeman had told me that assailants had poured acid on my son’s face. His tongue was cut off and one eye gouged out. Today (Wednesday) CBI officials visited my house and collected my son’s photograph along with relevant documents from me.”

Mustaq had named three persons in his plea to the high court, suggesting their involvement in the case due to a property dispute. The affidavit from DSP Sajjan Singh submitted in the high court mentioned negative brain-mapping test results of the three suspects. The medical board that studied the postmortem report couldn’t provide a definite cause of death, though circumstantial evidence was considered.

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In his high court plea, Mustaq, a daily wager, had also stated that Haryana Police’s investigation failed to find the culprits and the postmortem report did not indicate natural causes of Rizwan’s death.

The CBI registered an FIR under Section 302 (murder), 365 (kidnapping) and 201 (destruction of evidence) of the IPC.

Saurabh Parashar

Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting. Professional Background Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters. Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India. Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and the unique challenges of governance in high-altitude regions. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His recent reporting highlights the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh: 1. "Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable" (Late 2025): An investigative look at the transit routes from Punjab and the impact on local youth. 2. "Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe :According to the Forest Survey of India’s 2021 assessment, 47.21 percent of Shimla’s 5,131 sq km geographical area is under forest cover (Nov 17, 2025). 3. "Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway: Given the land’s non-forest nature, RTDC and the state will not require permission from MoEFCC" (Nov 18, 2025) 4. "How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region: Jodidara: a form of fraternal polyandry—has long been part of Hatti tribal culture in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand. It is believed to have evolved to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain unity among brothers in the harsh, mountainous terrain" (Aug 18, 2025) Legal & Agricultural Affairs "Kisan Sabha hails SC’s setting aside Himachal HC order to remove orchards from forest land" (Dec 18, 2025): Covering a major Supreme Court victory for farmers, where a High Court order to remove fruit-bearing apple orchards was overturned. "Himachal Cabinet nod to new tourism policy; focus on home-stays in tribal areas" (Dec 11, 2025): Detailing the legislative push to decentralize tourism and bring economic benefits to Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. 3. Governance & Environment "Forest rights and development: Why Himachal is seeking more leeway from Centre" (Dec 19, 2025): Reporting on the legal hurdles faced by the state in infrastructure projects due to the Forest Conservation Act. "Cloudbursts and resilience: How Himachal’s remote villages are building back better" (Nov 2025): Following up on the long-term rehabilitation efforts after monsoon-related disasters. Crime especially cyber crimes, crypto currency etc: crypto currency: "Agents in uniform, motivational speeches, lavish parties: How a Himachal crypto con went unnoticed:A serial conman, a ‘Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award winner', and retired policemen got together to pull off a Rs 1,740-crore fraud" (Nov 10, 2023) Signature Beats Saurabh is recognized for his tenacious reporting on the state's drug epidemic. His deep familiarity with the topography and tribal culture of Himachal allows him to report from remote locations like Spiti, Pangi, Shillai, which are often overlooked by national media. His legal expertise makes him a primary choice for covering the Himachal Pradesh High Court on issues ranging from local body elections to environmental PILs. X (Twitter): @saurabh_prashar . ... Read More

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