Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
In Bareilly district, Uttar Pradesh, nine women were found murdered over a span of 14 months. The police recently arrested a 35-year-old man, Kuldeep Kumar Gangwar, who they believe is responsible for these killings.
The police claim that Kuldeep Kumar Gangwar confessed to killing six women, all of whom were between the ages of 45 and 65. These women were strangled with saris or dupattas in sugarcane fields.
Gangwar chose sugarcane fields as the locations for his crimes, as the dense crop provided cover, making it easier for him to commit the murders without being detected.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Anurag Arya stated that Gangwar attempted to sexually assault his victims. The women had injuries to their inner thighs and chins, indicating violent struggles.
Gangwar's first alleged victim was a 45-year-old woman found dead in a sugarcane field. Her husband identified her by her slippers. This marked the beginning of a series of similar murders in nearby villages.
After the first five murders, the killings stopped for seven months. However, on July 2, 2024, a sixth woman was found murdered, leading the police to intensify their search for the killer. Gangwar's method involved strangling his victims with either his bare hands or their clothing. The knots of the clothes used for strangulation were always tied to the left side.
Gangwar revealed that his father would beat his mother at the behest of his stepmother, a detail that might provide insight into his violent tendencies. Gangwar's wife left him due to his violent behavior. He reportedly had no remorse for his actions and referred to his victims as "shikaar" (prey).
A breakthrough in the case came when a tea stall worker informed the police about a man boasting about the murders. This led to sketches being prepared, and Gangwar’s face matched two of the three sketches, leading to his arrest.
Gangwar confessed to six murders and kept belongings from his victims as mementos. The police recovered these items, which were used to keep a count of his crimes. He avoided using mobile phones and vehicles, targeting women working alone in fields.