Timely identification of a 32-year-old woman, who was missing for the past five years, allowed her brother to see her for the last time before the last rites were performed at Muktidham in Hazaribagh on Wednesday evening.

The woman identified as Punam Kumari, a resident of Hatia in Ranchi, was suspected to have to run off. On Monday, she was found in an unconscious state with bleeding private parts outside the Hazaribagh Medical College and Hospital (HMCH). She was then admitted to the hospital.

Mohammad Khalid of Murda Kalyan Samiti, who performs last rites of unclaimed bodies, said the woman died the same day she was brought to HMCH. He said her photograph was circulated to ascertain her identity but it went in vain. Following this, the hospital management handed over her body for the last rites after completing all the necessary formalities.

Before the last rites could be held, superintendent of police Karthik S came to know about Punam. He approached the Ranchi police to help in her identification. Meanwhile, Mohammad Khalid was directed to delay the last rites.

With the SP’s intervention, Punam’s brother Parmeshwar Kumar arrived in Hazaribagh and identified her body.

At the sight of his sister, Parmeshwar broke into tears, who, he said, had left home with a person they could not identify.

“We tried to search for her but failed after which we thought she was now no more,” a distraught Parmeshwar said, adding that his family had lodged an FIR in Ranchi.

Police officials said that the condition of the victim suggested that she had been tortured. “We were trying to find out with whom she was living here in Hazaribagh,” they added.

Police said they have found out that she was facing difficulties in the city and was working as a maid. “We will crack the case soon,” they said.

Punam’s last rites were performed in the presence of Mohammad Khalid at Muktidham on Wednesday evening.