Bhopal's 'Psycho Cutter Man' Finally Nabbed After Week of Fear
In a significant development that has brought immense relief to the terrorized residents of Bhopal, the city police have successfully apprehended the notorious masked knife-attacker who had been stalking and slashing unsuspecting women under the cover of darkness. The arrest, confirmed on Thursday, ends a week-long reign of terror that had gripped the streets, particularly after nightfall, with women fearing to venture out alone.
Details of the Arrest and the Accused
The perpetrator, identified as 37-year-old Devendra, a native of Sagar district, was captured by police sleuths after an intensive manhunt. According to authorities, Devendra operated under the sinister moniker 'psycho cutter man' and targeted random individuals, with a particular focus on young women. His weapon of choice was a thermocol cutter, which he used to slash victims while under the combined influence of marijuana and liquor.
Police investigations revealed that Devendra would prowl the streets of Piplani and Ayodhya Nagar on a stolen motorcycle, closing in on women riding two-wheelers before launching his attacks. His intimate knowledge of these areas allowed him to execute quick escapes after each crime. During the arrest, authorities seized his mobile phone, which contained objectionable content including pornographic videos, as well as the cutter and the stolen bike used in the assaults.
Motivation and Criminal History
In a chilling confession, Devendra disclosed to police that his attacks were driven by a visceral hatred for women, stemming from a personal trauma. He revealed that a girl he had fallen in love with did not reciprocate his feelings, fueling his desire to attack random women. Additionally, he had been married but did not maintain good relations with his wife, who left him over a decade ago.
Devendra is described as a habitual offender with a troubling criminal record. He had previously been booked in multiple cases of varying nature at the Piplani police station. Police also uncovered that he had confessed to four similar attacks in different police station areas of Sagar district back in 2014, indicating a long-standing pattern of violent behavior.
The Night of Terror and Investigation Breakthrough
The masked attacker struck terror on the night of January 29, targeting four women—three in Piplani and one in Ayodhya Nagar. This spree of violence left the city's dark streets fraught with fear. The breakthrough in the case came from a singular, distinguishing feature of the stolen two-wheeler he used, which ultimately blew his cover and led to his capture.
Authorities noted that after committing the attacks in Bhopal, Devendra laid low in his residence in the Karond area to evade detection. It was only when he ventured out again with the intention of targeting a fifth victim that police were able to apprehend him. He had stolen the motorcycle from the Karond vegetable market approximately four months prior to the attacks.
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigations
Devendra has been booked under sections related to murderous assault, as he confessed to wanting to eliminate one of his targets, though he did not succeed in this motive. Police are currently in touch with their counterparts in Sagar district to determine if similar cases were registered against him there. Furthermore, investigators are working to ascertain whether he committed more crimes between 2014 and the recent attacks, with details expected to emerge once the accused is taken on remand.
Background checks revealed that Devendra is a school dropout who worked as a daily wager at construction sites, residing in the Karond area of Bhopal. His arrest marks a critical victory for law enforcement in restoring a sense of security to the city's residents, who can now breathe easier knowing the 'psycho cutter man' is behind bars.
