The murder of 19-year-old Manisha, a playschool teacher from Bhiwani's Singhani village in Haryana, has sparked widespread protests and outrage. Manisha went missing on August 11, 2025, after leaving her school to inquire about a B.Sc nursing course at a nearby nursing college. Her body was discovered on August 13 in a field near a canal in Singhani, with her throat slit. The gruesome nature of the crime and allegations of police inaction have led to massive protests, with villagers blocking roads and holding "mahapanchayats".
Manisha was a resident of Dhani Laxman village in Loharu, Bhiwani. Reports describe her as a calm and well-mannered young woman. On August 11, she left her school to visit a private nursing college to inquire about admission to a B.Sc nursing course. CCTV footage confirmed that she was near the college that afternoon. When she did not return home, her father, Sanjay Singh, filed a missing person complaint.
The family alleges that the Loharu police initially refused to register a missing person report, suggesting that Manisha had "run away" and would return in a couple of days. A missing complaint was only registered the following day. Manisha's body was found on August 13 by a farmer in a field near a canal in Singhani village. The family alleges that when police visited the nursing college, the staff refused to provide CCTV footage until August 13, further fueling suspicions.
The post-mortem examination revealed that Manisha's throat had been slit. According to a senior police officer, the body was found without a neck, and doctors suggested the wound may have been chewed by animals. There were also suspected signs of acid exposure. The family refused to accept the body, demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible.
The protests have spread across Bhiwani, Hisar, Jind, and Fatehabad. Villagers have blocked roads, including the Delhi-Pilani road, disrupting traffic. Students have also taken to the streets, demanding swift justice. Shopkeepers in Loharu and Siwani shut their shops in protest. An indefinite "dharna" (sit-in protest) is ongoing in Dhingawa village in Bhiwani district.
The Haryana government has taken some action, transferring Bhiwani SP Manbir Singh and suspending five police personnel, including the SHO of Loharu, Ashok Kumar, and a woman ASI. However, protesters deem these measures insufficient. Opposition parties have criticized the state government's handling of the case.
Manisha's father has vowed not to cremate his daughter's body until the perpetrators are arrested. The family alleges police negligence and accuses the nursing college management of withholding crucial evidence. Political leaders from various parties have voiced their concerns over the handling of the case. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought a report on the matter. The case has become a flashpoint for broader concerns about women's safety and the state of governance in Haryana.
