Confession of a serial killer

Haryana stays in news, for some right reasons and some for very wrong. It tops the sporting chart and is among the fastest growing states. And then, the bad: collapse of policing when it most matters (Jat agitation, Ram Rahim case); and crime against women. Rape is the fastest-growing crime in India, and Haryana tops the list. The state has recorded the highest rate of gang-rapes per lakh woman population. The recent case that gave the chills was that of a 19-year-old topper who was raped by 12 men. It gets worse. The latest curdles the blood: a paedophile serial killer and rape accused has confessed to the murder of nine girls, including a three-year-old, over the past two years, across four cities — Gurugram, Delhi, Jhansi, Gwalior.

The 20-year-old accused, on the run with an army of police on his heels, was finally apprehended from Jhansi. Investigation supports his confession as all victims bore the stamp of his grotesque crime: broken limbs and skull; even as his psychological analysis is awaited and bio samples have been sent for forensic study. The police did well to capture him, but had it been nimble, he could have been stopped before his next kill. The police will now have to do more than rely on his confession to prepare a watertight case. The accused broke down before the court, lamenting that he did not want to die. Neither did his young, defenceless victims, if they could speak. 

The case has reverberance to the monstrous 2006 Nithari serial killings, where young girls were the prime target. The law will follow its course. Challans will be filed; cases reopened. Horrific, painful details may come to light. But each time a girl goes missing, the police should be sharp as a needle. Find the girl, or the body, or the criminal. Records like fingerprints need to be digitised. Time is critical. The criminal must not get a chance to strike again, and again. There is no deterrent better than fear of the law and expedient punishment. Every delay in arrest and prolonged trial is a crime strengthened. ‘Beti Padhao’ may work, how will ‘Beti Bachao’?