Bareilly's Most Wanted: Serial Killer Kuldeep Kumar Captured

Police in Bareilly have arrested Kuldeep Kumar, a 35-year-old man suspected of murdering six middle-aged women over the past year. Kumar's arrest followed an extensive investigation involving CCTV footage and decoys. He confessed to the murders, driven by trauma inflicted by his abusive stepmother.

Police in Bareilly arrested a suspected killer involved in a series of murders targeting middle-aged women in the district over the past year, officials announced on Friday.

The 35-year-old accused, identified as Kuldeep Kumar, has confessed to killing six women, according to police.

During interrogation, Kumar revealed that he was troubled by his stepmother, who abused and attempted to strangle him. Initially, police investigated a series of nine murders committed in a similar pattern.

Senior Superintendent of Police Anurag Arya stated that Kumar was apprehended using sketches and CCTV camera footage. The arrest followed an intensive investigation involving CCTV footage review, decoy deployments, and mobile data analysis.

In 2023 and 2024, primarily in the Shahi and Sheeshgarh areas, incidents of strangulation of six middle-aged women in isolated areas emerged. Cases were registered in connection with these incidents at Shahi and Sheeshgarh police stations, Arya confirmed.

On Thursday, a Shahi police station team arrested Kuldeep Kumar, aged about 35, from near the banks of the Mathiya. The arrest was made possible through an informer's tip and previously prepared sketches and videos.

The accused admitted to the crimes during interrogation. Three days prior, Bareilly police released three sketches of suspects related to the case. A reward of Rs 25,000 was announced for the police team that apprehended the killer, Arya added.

Arya said the police set up a war room and named the campaign 'Operation Talash,' forming 22 teams of skilled officers for the investigation. The teams reviewed footage from around 1,500 CCTV cameras, installed 600 new cameras, and continuously monitored the area.

Teams were also sent to other states to study criminals' modus operandi. The surveillance team analyzed data from around 1.5 lakh mobile numbers and monitored voter lists. Consultations with clinical psychology experts were conducted to understand criminal behavior.

Decoys and hidden cameras were used during the investigation. A detailed plan was prepared using Google Maps to cover areas surrounding the Shahi police station.

Kumar, a resident of Bakarganj Sanuwa village, targeted women in the Shahi and Sheeshgarh areas. Initially proposing sexual relations, he would strangle them if they refused. His family's agricultural background and troubled history with his stepmother contributed to his violent tendencies, police noted.

He travelled on foot and used public transport to avoid detection. Post-arrest, police recreated crime scenes and recovered items like an ID card, lipstick, and clothing from Kumar's possession.

(With inputs from agencies.)