A chilling pattern of murders in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly district has raised fears of a serial killer on the loose. Over the past 13 months, nine women, all in the same age group, have been strangled to death, with their bodies often found in sugarcane fields.
Authorities have been grappling with the unsettling case as all the victims, aged between 40 and 65, were strangled with their own sarees. The first eight murders occurred in various police jurisdiction areas—Shahi, Sheeshgarh, and Shergarh—throughout 2023, followed by one more killing in July 2024.
The initial wave of murders saw three incidents in June, followed by additional cases in July, August, October, and November. The pattern of killing sparked intense police scrutiny, with an additional force of 300 officers deployed to the region. Despite these efforts, the killings ceased, leading to a temporary sense of relief among locals.
However, the peace was short-lived. In July 2024, 45-year-old Anita, a resident of Bhujiya Jagir village in Shergarh, was found strangled in a sugarcane field. Her body was discovered after she had gone missing on July 2, following a visit to a bank. The discovery reignited fears of a serial killer, particularly since Anita’s murder followed the same modus operandi as the earlier cases.
Senior police officials, including Additional Director General of Police Ramit Sharma and Senior Superintendent of Police Anurag Arya, have taken charge of the investigation. They have released sketches of three suspects and are urging the public to come forward with any information that could lead to solving the case.
Special task forces have been set up, with increased patrols and checkpoints established in affected areas. Authorities are also issuing advisories to local residents, urging them to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
SP (South) Manush Pareek emphasized that efforts are ongoing to connect the recent murder with the earlier cases. “Many teams are working on the case, and we are committed to uncovering the identity of those responsible for these heinous crimes,” he stated.
Sources By Agencies
