Guwahati, April 25: Fresh details have emerged in the case of missing Guwahati-based teacher Bhabana Sarma, with investigators examining new inputs from a Rapido driver who reportedly dropped her near Gauhati University shortly before she went untraceable.
According to police sources, the driver, identified as Saddam Hussain, told investigators that Sarma had initially booked the ride with her destination set as Gauhati University. However, she allegedly requested to be dropped midway at Jalukbari Engineering College Point instead of completing the journey. The driver also stated that she remained on continuous phone calls with an unidentified person during the ride and was carrying a bag.
These inputs are being analysed as authorities attempt to reconstruct her movements prior to her disappearance. Earlier, police had flagged inconsistencies in her account of the day’s events. She had reportedly informed her family that she was heading to her school to collect pending salary dues, despite having resigned from the institution last month.
Investigators also found that Sarma had booked two separate rides through Uber—one towards Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport and another towards Adabari—both of which were later cancelled. In addition, she is believed to have withdrawn around ₹7,000 from an ATM before going missing.
Her mobile phone was last traced to the Paltan Bazar area, after which it was switched off. She was subsequently located alone in Shillong, with officials confirming that there were no visible injuries or signs of physical harm.
A message sent by Sarma to her family stating that she was “in danger” has become a key focus of the investigation. Police have emphasised that no conclusions have been drawn so far and that her statement will be crucial in determining the sequence of events.
Authorities confirmed that all transaction details, including a Rapido ride reportedly booked for ₹70, are under verification. A police team has also been sent to Shillong as part of the ongoing probe, with officials stating that all possible angles are being examined.
