Hyderabad: A 23-year-old suspected serial killer, who terrorised Mahbubnagar villages for six months by allegedly murdering seven women this year was arrested by the police on June 25.
The accused, V. Raju, an autorickshaw driver from Koduru village, Mahbubnagar, lured single women from different villages by paying them money to have sex with him. He would then smash their heads with boulders before taking away their jewellery. After months of sustained effort, the district police managed to catch Mahbubnagar’s own ‘Jack the Ripper’. By then he had already killed eight women and amassed 3.5 kg silver ornaments.
One among the victims escaped with severe head injuries, while seven bodies were recovered by the police. Police officials said the bodies were found in deserted areas and jungles in a decomposed state. The police is now trying to ensure capital punishment for the murderer.
Mahbubnagar rural inspector Laxminarayana, who investigated the case, found that Raju targeted each victim with a fixed modus operandi. “He would go to places where single women work and observe his target’s ornaments. He would approach them offering money and liquor to have sex with him. All the victims, who were financially poor, fell into his trap to get money. He would take them in his autorickshaw to isolated places like hillocks and jungles, and force them to drink alcohol. Once the victim was intoxicated, he would smash her head with a boulder and then flee with the ornaments,” Mr Laxminarayana said.
His victims were between 30 years to 45 years old. The lone survivor of his brutality, G. Alivelu, 25, from Hanwada village, escaped after he left her unconscious on the ground thinking she was dead.
“He ensured there was a gap of 20 days between each killing. He was also careful not to dispose the ornaments immediately after the murder,” said the inspector. After the missing complaints and murder cases were reported in the police station, police started searching for the perpetrator. Months later, they tracked the mobile phone of a victim, which was used by the accused.
Police says Raju had a troubled past with his parents and brother throwing him out the house for being lazy and quarrelsome.
Raju has been charged with with murder and robbery and is presently in remand. His family members are yet to recover from the shock.
“Raju went to Hyderabad and worked as a security guard before ending up in an illicit relationship with a married woman. When he came back to his house with his paramour, he was disowned by his family again. Meanwhile, the woman gave birth to a girl child. The baby soon fell sick compelling him to earn more money. Then, he started targeting women,” said Mr. Laxminarayana.
Raju, who is charged with murder and robbery, is in remand now, while his family members are yet to recover from the shock.
