In a troubling development, police in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly have released sketches of three suspects in connection with a series of murders that plagued the region over the past 14 months. The murders, which claimed the lives of ten women, follow a disturbing and consistent pattern. Despite extensive efforts, authorities were unable to apprehend the perpetrator, who is believed to be a serial killer. The murders have created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among local residents.
Superintendent of Police (South) Manush Pareek announced that the sketches were developed based on the investigation of previous murder cases in the Thana Shahi area and information gathered from local sources. The police hope that releasing these sketches will help generate leads and bring the killer to justice. He emphasised that any information provided about the suspects would be kept confidential. Residents are encouraged to contact the following numbers with any information related to the sketches:
- Superintendent of Police, South, Bareilly: Mobile No. 9454402429, 9258256969
- Circle Officer, Mirganj: Mobile No. 9454401327
- Station Head, Shahi: Mobile No. 9454403101, 9258256965
The most recent victim, 45-year-old Anita, was found murdered and discarded in a sugarcane field in Bujhia Jagir village. She was strangled with a sari, similar to the pattern seen in previous murders. Anita had disappeared on July 2 after leaving her maternal home in Khirka village, and her body was discovered later. Her family was devastated to later receive news of her murder. The family filed a murder case in the incident.
This murder mirrors a pattern observed in nine similar cases from last year, where victims were strangled in deserted areas. Anita was strangled with a sari, further aligning with the method used in previous murders. The recurrence of this pattern has intensified the challenge for law enforcement as they continue to investigate the series of killings.
Anita maintained an account at the Fatehganj (West) branch of her bank, where she also had money in fixed deposits. She typically visited the bank every few months for transactions. Initially, there was suspicion that Anita may have been targeted after withdrawing money from the bank. However, this theory was not substantiated during the investigation. Authorities are now considering the possibility that Anita’s murder is linked to the serial killer. The police are actively exploring this lead to uncover the truth behind the crime.
Last year, nine women were killed in a similar pattern across the Shahi and Sheeshgarh police station areas and the bodies were often found near riverbanks. Kalavati from Shahi village was murdered on June 5, followed by Dhanvati, whose body was discovered on Shahi Road on June 19. Premvati was found in Anandpur, Shahi, on June 30, and Kusuma’s body was located in Khajuria village on June 22.
Later in 2023, Veervati’s half-naked body was found in Jwalapur village on August 23, while a 60-year-old woman was murdered in Lakhimpur on October 31. Dular Devi, also 60, was killed in Kharsaini village on November 20, and Urmila, aged 55, was murdered in Jagdishpur on November 26. Each of these women was strangled, underscoring a disturbing and consistent pattern in the murders.
The police had implemented extensive measures, including deploying about 300 officers for patrolling, and monitoring various suspects. Despite these efforts, the murders ceased temporarily but resumed in 2024. Authorities are now examining whether the recent murder case was linked to the previous incidents. To address the situation, police teams in both plain clothes and uniforms are actively working on the case. They are conducting thorough checks of suspicious vehicles and monitoring barriers.
In addition, police are urging residents to exercise increased caution and report any suspicious activity. The coordinated effort aims to uncover connections between the current and past incidents and bring those responsible to justice.
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