Similarities make cops suspect serial killer

Police said there are similarities in both cases and suspect both murders to be the handiwork of the same person. The manner in which both murders were carried out led them to believe so,said the police. The police have described the killer as a psychopath who killed his victims without any visible provocation. In both cases,the victims were first kidnapped,killed,and then left in the garden between Veej Bhavan and the fire depot.

An officer revealed that in both cases,the cause of death has been identified as assault wounds to the head. Both Jagruti and Karishma were found to have multiple head injuries. Officers also found a blood-stained rock at the crime scene,a few feet away from Karishma’s body.

The police suspect the rock may have been used to land the fatal blow which killed her. The police have also said that the economic background of both victims,their ages,and the fact that they were kidnapped and then killed,hint at the possibility that the same person may be involved in both cases. Both victims come from economically weaker sections of society.

“Both Karishma and Jagruti died of head injuries. Karishma’s body was found less than 20 feet away from the spot where residents discovered Jagruti’s body. Jagruti was kidnapped on October 20 and found dead on November 13. Medical reports state she was killed the same night she was kidnapped. We suspect that even Karishma may have been killed the same day on which she was kidnapped. So many similarities in the case have led us to the fact that the same person may be involved. However,it is too early to comment on this,” said an officer.

In both cases,police sniffer dogs had led officers to the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Nagar slums behind the crime scene,which officers said could mean that the killer may be a resident of the area or may have used the area to enter the spot,and later to escape.

The police have identified witnesses who saw a man talking to Karishma on Tuesday afternoon,the day she was reported missing. Claiming they had specific leads,the police said these witnesses would be called for questioning. A sketch of the suspect may also be made,said sources.

The murders brought back chilling reminders of the Nehru Nagar serial killer case,which rocked the city in 2010. (see box)

Despite allegations by residents that both murders may have been a part of a human sacrifice ritual,the police said there are no leads to verify these claims. “When a sacrifice takes place,there is usually some clue left behind like lemons,chillies,turmeric powder,vermillion powder (kumkum) or ashes. As we have no proof about this,we cannot say that these murders were part of a ritual,” the officer said.

The police have not ruled out the possibility of sexual abuse in Karishma’s murder and said her clothes will be sent to the Kalina Forensic Laboratory for tests to check for semen stains.

The post-mortem reports,however,have not thrown light on whether Karishma was sexually abused. Her viscera samples have also been sent for tests. The police,meanwhile,are still awaiting reports of the chemical analysis tests on the viscera samples of Jagruti to ascertain if there was sexual abuse involved in the earlier murder.

Marks were also found on Karishma’s body,with officers saying that the bone on her right hand near the back of her hand was visible. Bite marks were also visible on her right hand. Officers,though,have said that the marks may be from rodents who bit the body.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Colaba Division) Iqbal Shaikh said they had increased patrolling in the Colaba-Cuffe Parade area. “We are probing all angles and will nab the accused in both cases soon.”