An 18-year-old student was found dead on a railway track in Madhya Pradesh's Ashoknagar district on Monday evening, hours after she left home to buy a birthday cake and clothes for her younger brother. Police have launched an investigation into the case and are examining deleted chat messages recovered from her mobile phone to determine the circumstances leading to her death.

The deceased, identified as Radhika Sharma, had stepped out of her house at around 6 pm. According to her family, she left her mobile phone at home before leaving, while preparations were underway for her younger brother's birthday celebration.

Family's Search Ends in Tragedy

When Radhika failed to return home for several hours, her family began searching for her. During the search, they received information that a young woman's body had been found on a railway track. The family rushed to the spot and identified the body as Radhika.

Police said the station master informed them around 8 pm after a train driver reported that a young woman had suddenly come onto the railway track, resulting in a fatal accident.

The body was sent to the district hospital for post-mortem examination, and further investigation is underway.

Questions Over How She Reached the Track

Family members have questioned the circumstances surrounding the incident, pointing out that the railway track does not fall on the route between their home and the local market where Radhika had planned to shop.

This has raised questions about how she reached the railway line. Investigators are currently examining both accidental death and suicide as possible angles and have not reached any final conclusion.

Deleted Chats Under Investigation

Dehat Police Station in-charge Bhuvnesh Sharma said investigators found evidence of conversations with two contacts on Radhika's mobile phone. Police also discovered that some messages had been deleted.

Officials are analysing the deleted chats and other digital evidence to determine whether they have any connection with the incident.

Family Says She Was Under Stress

According to family members, Radhika had recently passed her Class 12 examinations and was preparing for college admission.

They told police that she had appeared mentally stressed for the past three to four days, although they were unaware of any specific reason behind her distress.

Radhika belonged to a family of four siblings and was the second among them. Her father, Ramswaroop Sharma, is originally from Kaluakhedi village in Bahadurpur but has been living with the family in a rented house in Ashoknagar for the past two decades.

Investigation Continues

Police are awaiting the post-mortem report and are collecting technical evidence, including digital records, to establish the sequence of events. Investigators have said that all possible angles are being examined, and no conclusion regarding the cause of death will be drawn until the investigation is complete.

Authorities have appealed to the public not to speculate about the case while the inquiry is in progress.

Scindia opens ₹7 crore Orr River bridge to end monsoon woes

The 120-meter long bridge on the Ashoknagar-Piprai route will ensure year-round connectivity for thousands of local commuters.

Union Minister and regional Member of Parliament Jyotiraditya Scindia on Friday inaugurated a newly constructed bridge over the Orr River on the Ashoknagar-Piprai route. Built at an estimated cost of ₹7.06 crore, the 120-meter-long structure replaces an old low-level causeway that frequently submerged during the monsoon.

The Union Minister performed the ritual ribbon-cutting ceremony before walking across the span to personally inspect the construction quality. This project is expected to provide a permanent solution to the logistical bottlenecks faced by residents of Mungaoli and Piprai.

Enhancing regional connectivity

The inauguration marks a significant shift for the local transport network. Previously, the old causeway (rapta) served as the primary link, but its low height meant it was often underwater during heavy rains.

This seasonal disruption would effectively cut off Ashoknagar from surrounding tehsils for days. With the new high-level bridge operational, commuters can now expect uninterrupted access to the district headquarters throughout the year.

Relief from monsoon hurdles

Local residents had long demanded a permanent bridge due to the severe hardships faced during the rainy season. The submerged causeway didn't just stall traffic; it paralyzed daily trade and essential services.

Emergency medical transport was particularly affected when the Orr River swelled. According to officials, the bridge’s height has been designed to withstand peak monsoon water levels, ensuring that agricultural produce reaches markets without delay.

New administrative infrastructure

During his visit, Scindia also inaugurated the newly constructed Panchayat Bhavan in Kajrai Gram Panchayat. This administrative building was completed with an investment of approximately ₹43 lakh.

The new facility is designed to centralize village-level governance and provide a modern space for administrative tasks. Residents will now be able to access government schemes and documentation services under one roof.

Focus on rural growth

Addressing a gathering at the site, the Union Minister emphasized that strengthening rural infrastructure remains a core pillar of the government’s developmental agenda.

Scindia noted that such projects are not merely about concrete and steel but are vital for the economic mobility of the region. "Bridges and roads are the lifelines of rural progress, boosting both trade and convenience for the common man," he stated.

Impact on local economy

The completion of the Orr River bridge is expected to have a direct impact on the local economy. Farmers from the Piprai belt can now transport their harvest to Ashoknagar mandis even during the peak of July and August.

Small-scale traders and dairy farmers, who previously lost business during the monsoon due to road closures, expressed their relief during the event. Many villagers gathered to witness the opening, calling it a long-overdue necessity.

Strengthening public services

The addition of the Kajrai Panchayat Bhavan is seen as a move to bring the government closer to the people. By improving the workspace for local officials, the government aims to speed up the delivery of public services.

These dual projects highlight a push toward integrated development in the Guna-Shivpuri-Ashoknagar parliamentary constituency. Officials indicated that several other smaller culverts in the district are also under review for upgrades.

Future infrastructure outlook

As per reports, the state and central departments are coordinating on more such "all-weather" connectivity projects across Madhya Pradesh. The focus remains on replacing vulnerable river crossings with high-level bridges.

This latest India News Update confirms that the Ashoknagar-Piprai route is now fully modernized for heavy vehicle movement. Following the inauguration, the bridge was immediately opened to public traffic, marking a new chapter for regional transit.