Bhopal: Police hunt for caretaker in retired IAS murder

Police in Bhopal have launched a multi-state manhunt for Varun Kumar, the caretaker suspected of murdering retired 1982-batch IAS officer Rakesh Agrawal. A reward of 50,000 rupees has been announced for information leading to his arrest.

The murder occurred at Agrawal's residence in Suraj Nagar during the night of September 29-30. Investigators found Agrawal's body with deep wounds to his throat caused by a sharp weapon. Evidence suggests the crime involved robbery, as locks on cupboards were broken and valuables were missing. Authorities also noted that an LPG pipe had been disconnected, leading to a gas leak, which suggests an attempt to destroy evidence by starting a fire.

More than 10 police teams are conducting raids across Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi. Technical surveillance and CCTV footage from railway stations indicate the suspect traveled from Bhopal toward Delhi, with his last known location identified on the Agra-Mathura route. So far, police have recorded statements from 15 individuals, including family members and household staff.