# SIT ordered for murder of retired IAS officer in Bhopal

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/murder-of-retired-ias-officer-in-bhopal
> Updated: 2026-10-04T05:26:51.000Z. Sources: 18. Developments: 3.

Following the murder of retired IAS officer Rakesh Agarwal at his Bhopal residence, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT). This directive comes in response to a memorandum from the Madhya Pradesh IAS Officers’ Association, which requested an “impartial and time-bound probe.”

Agarwal, a 1982-batch officer who previously served in senior roles such as District Collector and Director General of the RCVP Noronha Academy of Administration, was found with his throat slit. Investigators discovered evidence of an attempted arson involving disconnected LPG cylinder pipes, suggesting an effort to destroy evidence.

The primary suspect remains Varun Kumar, a 27-year-old caretaker and male nurse hired through a home healthcare agency shortly before the incident. Kumar fled the scene and remains at large despite a multi-state manhunt and a 50,000 rupee reward for information leading to his arrest. 

Police continue to investigate potential motives, including a possible connection to a financial dispute involving an acquaintance, Ajit Patni, regarding a fraud of over 1 crore rupees. Authorities are also questioning the placement agency, Verma Home Health Care, regarding the suspect’s background verification.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-04: Bhopal: Police hunt for caretaker in retired IAS murder

Police have announced a 50,000 rupee reward and launched a multi-state manhunt for a caretaker suspected of murdering retired IAS officer Rakesh Agrawal in Bhopal.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bhopal-police-hunt-for-caretaker-in-retired-ias-murder

### 2026-10-02: Bhopal police hunt suspect in retired IAS officer murder

Bhopal police are searching for a caretaker suspected of murdering retired IAS officer Rakesh Agrawal. Investigators are also probing a potential link to a prior 1 crore rupee fraud case.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bhopal-police-hunt-suspect-in-retired-ias-officer-murder

### 2026-09-30: Bhopal: Retired IAS officer Rakesh Agarwal found murdered at home

Retired IAS officer Rakesh Agarwal was found murdered in his Bhopal home with his throat slit. Police suspect a domestic help hired two days ago, who has since gone missing.

15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/retired-ias-officer-rakesh-agrawal-murdered-in-bhopal-home

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Cite as: SIT ordered for murder of retired IAS officer in Bhopal. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/murder-of-retired-ias-officer-in-bhopal