Skeleton-like object found in scrap in Central Delhi was artificial; used for school teaching: Police

The cops have contacted the scrap dealer who had obtained the material to establish a link to its source.

Suspected skeletal remains found in scrap material in central Delhi on Saturday during a cleanliness drive were artificial, and used for teaching at a school laboratory, police said.

A preliminary inquiry has indicated that the scrap dealer who had obtained the material may have received it from a school. (X/ @ANI)

Cops had launched a probe after a scrap dealer reported finding a skeleton-like objects in material he had obtained about a month ago from a school. After the recovery of the objects during a Municipal Corporation of Delhi cleanliness drive near Kali Mata Mandir in DDU Marg, the police reached the spot.

School link emerged after preliminary inquiry

The police, after reaching the site, found a wooden box containing an old assembled skeletal structure, without any bloodstains or other seemingly suspicious material in or around the container, deputy commissioner of police (Central) Rohit Rajbir Singh said.

Following preliminary inquiry, it was found that the material had been purchased by the scrap dealer from the Government Boys Senior Secondary School at Mata Sundari Road in Delhi. It was bought along with other old or broken articles, the dealer stated.

Upon questioning, the principal of the concerned school said that the institution had shifted to a new building in 2023, adding that the old/broken articles from the earlier building were disposed of as scrap in July, 2026 during the cleanliness drive.

Forensic assessment confirms bones were artificial

Apart from police inquiry, the forensic team conducted its own assessment, examining the recovered material. However, according to the preliminary assessment by forensic experts, the structure appeared to be only artificial bones and not human skeletal remains.

It was indicated that such a structure could have been used for educational or study purposes, particularly in the school laboratory. Additionally, there was no prima facie indication of any criminal offence in the matter, the DCP stated.