Police Unravel Final 63 Hours of Shabad Murder Suspect Raj Kumar

Shabad Killer’s Final Hours: Police Trace Raj Kumar’s Movements Before Death

In a chilling reconstruction, investigators have pieced together the final 63 hours of P. Raj Kumar, the man accused of killing six people in Daivalaguda village, Shabad. His body was discovered on July 13 near Penjerla village, marking the end of a desperate manhunt.

From Temple to Tragedy

Police say Raj Kumar spent Saturday, the day after the murders, evading authorities in the Kothur area. He initially hired a car from Daivalaguda but abandoned it near Chegur, about 12 km away, when it ran out of fuel. He then reportedly attempted suicide on the railway tracks at Thimmapur station but backed out, later taking refuge in a small temple for the night.

On Monday morning, he boarded a TGSRTC bus from Kothur to Aramghar X Roads and then another to LB Nagar. There, he checked into a budget hotel, staying for less than half an hour. CCTV footage shows him entering with his face masked and bloodstains on his shirt. When questioned by hotel staff, he claimed the stains were from an injury.

A Digital Trail

During his brief hotel stay, Raj Kumar reportedly asked for the Wi-Fi password while keeping his phone in airplane mode. Police suspect he used the internet to monitor media coverage of the murders and the ongoing manhunt. He provided his Aadhaar card as identification, which staff photographed. After paying his bill, he requested a taxi, which dropped him near Shamshabad.

A Fatal Decision

From Shamshabad, Raj Kumar traveled towards Kothur and Shadnagar, where he purchased a bottle of herbicide. Investigators believe he wandered the area before retreating to a secluded roadside. There, he allegedly consumed the poison and succumbed to it. A passer-by discovered his body near Penjerla village, around 20 km from the crime scene, with the herbicide bottle lying nearby.

Why It Matters

The reconstruction of Raj Kumar’s movements sheds light on his state of mind and the lengths he went to evade capture. His actions, from attempting suicide to monitoring media reports, paint a picture of a man grappling with the weight of his crimes. The case has gripped the region, raising questions about the motives behind the killings and the psychological state of the accused.

As the investigation continues, authorities hope to uncover more details about the events that led to the tragic chain of events in Shabad.

Source: The Hindu