Bhopal Retired IAS Murder: Police Probe Possible Contract Killing Angle

The investigation into the murder of retired IAS officer Rakesh Agarwal in Bhopal has taken a new turn. The police are no longer limiting their probe to robbery and are examining several angles, including the possibility of a contract killing. Caretaker Varun Kumar, who allegedly slit Agarwal’s throat just 2-3 days after starting work at his house, is still absconding. He reportedly fled with jewelry worth lakhs of rupees, cash and Agarwal’s mobile phone.

Varun, a resident of Nabha in Punjab, has been changing his location continuously since the incident. According to the police investigation, he first reached Bina after the murder. Agarwal’s mobile phone was switched on there for some time, but was later turned off.

The police say Varun then travelled to Agra. One of his acquaintances lives there, and Varun had worked with this person earlier. The police have detained the acquaintance and started questioning him. The investigation has also found information that the mobile phone became active in Agra.

The fact that Varun had started working at Agarwal’s house only a few days before the murder has become one of the main points of suspicion for the police. Investigators are examining the sequence of events after his appointment, the sudden murder, the removal of valuables and the fact that the caretaker took Agarwal’s mobile phone while fleeing.

The police are trying to determine whether the motive was only robbery or whether Varun had been sent to the house for a specific purpose by someone else. However, the possibility of contract killing has not been confirmed so far. The police are keeping all possibilities within the scope of the investigation and are proceeding on the basis of the evidence collected.

Another important detail has emerged regarding a possible attempt to set the house on fire after the murder. According to the police, the gas cylinder pipe in the kitchen was found disconnected. Investigators also found indications that an electric iron may have been used in an attempt to start a fire.

Because of these findings, the police are examining whether the accused tried to destroy evidence after killing Agarwal. The investigators are trying to establish whether the fire-related actions were part of a planned attempt to conceal what had happened inside the house.

At the same time, the police investigation has brought to light information about a financial dispute involving Rakesh Agarwal. The dispute is linked to around one crore rupees. According to the police, Agarwal had filed a complaint with the Crime Branch against his acquaintance Ajit Patni.

The allegation was that Ajit Patni had taken around one crore rupees from Agarwal in instalments by promising investment in a company and better returns. The money was allegedly not returned. In this case, the police arrested Ajit Patni in October 2025.

The matter is currently pending before the court. The police are now collecting information afresh about the people connected with this case, possible witnesses and Agarwal’s role. Investigators are also examining whether this financial dispute has any connection with the murder. No such connection has been established so far.

Taking Agarwal’s mobile phone after the murder has become a key point in the investigation. The police are trying to find out why Varun kept the phone with him and what information it may have contained. Investigators are examining whether the phone was used to contact any person after the murder.

The police are also looking into why the mobile phone was switched on for some time in Bina. They are trying to identify the contacts linked to the phone after it became active in Agra and determine who may have been in communication with Varun.

The investigation is focused on several questions. Why did the murder take place only a few days after Varun started the job? Was the incident sudden, or had it been planned in advance? Why did Varun take the mobile phone with him after the murder? For what purpose was an attempt made to set the house on fire?

The police are also examining whether the financial dispute involving around one crore rupees had any connection with the killing. Another question is whether Varun carried out the incident alone or whether another person was in contact with him. Investigators are also trying to find out who helped him travel from Bina to Agra.

The police are examining Varun’s old contacts and his family background. People connected with his family are being questioned as part of the investigation. The police are trying to determine whom Varun had been in contact with during the recent period and what his activities were before he came to Bhopal.

At present, police teams are conducting raids at different locations in search of Varun. The focus of the investigation is no longer limited to arresting the absconding caretaker. The police are also trying to establish the actual motive behind the murder and connect the possible links of a wider conspiracy.