A man described as a 'psycho killer' has been arrested in Chhattisgarh for poisoning eight men in a village, then attending their funerals to avoid suspicion. The suspect, identified as 32-year-old Ramesh Yadav, was taken into custody on Tuesday following a two-week investigation that spanned over a month after his last known victim died.
Details of the Murders
According to police, the killings occurred in a remote village in Chhattisgarh's Bastar district over a period of several months. Yadav allegedly befriended his victims, all men aged between 25 and 45, and then laced their food or drink with a potent poison. After each death, he would attend the funeral and offer condolences to the grieving families, police said.
Superintendent of Police, D. Shravan, stated, "Yadav would gain the trust of his victims by sharing meals or drinks with them. He then poisoned them and later participated in the funeral rites to divert attention from himself."
Investigation and Arrest
The case came to light when relatives of the last victim, a 38-year-old farmer, noticed inconsistencies in his death and reported suspicions to the police. An autopsy revealed traces of cyanide in the body. Subsequent investigations linked the deaths of seven other men over the past year to similar poisoning patterns.
Police formed a special team that tracked Yadav's movements and gathered evidence from mobile phone records and witness statements. He was arrested from a relative's house in a neighboring district. During interrogation, Yadav confessed to the murders, claiming he derived pleasure from watching the grief of the families.
"He showed no remorse and described the act as a game," said the SP. "We have recovered the poison used and are investigating if there are more victims."
Impact and Community Response
The village, home to about 500 people, is in shock. Local resident Manoj Kumar said, "We never suspected him. He was always helpful and seemed genuinely sad at the funerals. It is terrifying to think a killer lived among us."
Yadav has been charged with eight counts of murder and is currently in police custody. The case has raised concerns about safety in rural areas and the need for better forensic capabilities in small towns.
Police are also examining whether Yadav had any accomplices or if he was inspired by similar cases reported elsewhere. The investigation continues.
