RANCHI — The body of 31‑year‑old Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) digital communications manager Devpalik Gupta was found on Tuesday afternoon beside railway tracks in the Ranchi area, almost a day after he disappeared while travelling on the Ranchi–Patna Janshatabdi Express, officials said.
Recovery and initial police response
Railway Protection Force (RPF) Ranchi Post Inspector Shishupal Kumar said Gupta was suspected to have fallen from the moving train. The body was located in bushes along the railway line between Jonha and Kita, according to the RPF account reported by media. Senior Superintendent of Police (Ranchi) Rakesh Ranjan confirmed that Gupta’s body has been sent to Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) for autopsy and a probe has been initiated to determine the cause of death.
Conflicting accounts on location and timing
Different reports describe slightly varying locations where the body was discovered, with some accounts placing the spot between Ranchi and Muri Junction. Police said a complaint was received and appropriate legal action will follow, while JSP leaders have demanded an impartial, speedy investigation.
Travelling companions and sequence of events
Gupta, a resident of Uttar Pradesh’s Kushinagar district and an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), was travelling on Jan Shatabdi Express (12366) with two associates, Gautam Kumar and Nishant Kumar. According to his companions, the train departed Ranchi around 2.25 pm and about 10 minutes later Gupta told them he was heading to the pantry car; he did not return.
- Boarded: Ranchi station (train departed ~2.25 pm, as reported)
- Last seen: Said he was going to the pantry car
- Missing reported: When the train reached the next station (Muri/Jainha area), companions lodged a complaint with the Government Railway Police (GRP)
- Body recovered: Found along tracks between Jonha and Kita (RPF account) / between Ranchi and Muri (other accounts)
- Autopsy: Body sent to RIMS
“The body has just been found. The complaint has been received. Whatever further action is required will be taken according to the law,”
IG, Railways Michael Raj was quoted as saying the two companions were not detained but only being questioned. The companions, however, alleged that they were held in separate rooms by the GRP and were not allowed to speak with each other during questioning. The GRP and RPF statements differ from that allegation.
Political reaction and calls for probe
JSP national spokesperson Kumar Saurabh Singh urged Chief Minister Hemant Soren to direct senior officials to ensure a prompt and impartial investigation. Singh noted that Gupta and his team had been working on official pages and social media campaigns for JSP for several years, and senior party leaders, including Prashant Kishor, were in contact with Jharkhand officials following the incident.
The Indian Institute of Mass Communication Alumni Association also expressed condolences and confirmed Gupta was from the IIMC 2018–19 batch; his brother identified the body, the association said in a post on social media.
Next steps and local implications
Local police have registered that a probe has been launched; the autopsy report and investigation findings will be central to establishing whether the death resulted from an accidental fall, foul play or other causes. The incident has raised questions about passenger safety on moving trains and response times in locating missing travellers along the Ranchi–Patna route.
As inquiries proceed at both the railway and district levels, authorities said further action will follow in accordance with the law. The family of the deceased and JSP leaders have sought transparency and an impartial inquiry into the circumstances leading to Gupta’s death.
