Surendra Jain Murder: All Clues, Evidence Available But Suspect Roams Free | Representative Image
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The body was there, so were all the clues and evidence — even a prime suspect — yet the Aishbag police are still struggling to solve the gruesome murder of 76-year-old retired government employee Surendra Kumar Jain.
Jain lived in Pushpa Nagarwith his daughter-in-law Rashmi and his minor grandson. His elder son, Rashmi’s husband, worked in a private firm in Ranchi, while his younger son ran a dairy in Vidisha.
The case came to light on the cold morning of December 13, 2023, when residents of Pushpa Nagar noticed smoke and a foul smell coming from Jain’s house. They rushed to the spot, where a panic-stricken Rashmi claimed she had lost the keys. Neighbours forced their way inside and discovered Jain’s burnt body lying on the bed upstairs, with smoke still emanating from the mattress and pillows.
Rashmi told neighbours and later police that she had gone upstairs around 8 am to serve tea to her father-in-law and discovered his charred remains. Initially, police suspected an accidental fire caused by a mosquito coil or a short circuit. A forensic science laboratory (FSL) team was summoned to collect samples from the scene.
By afternoon, Jain’s other family members had arrived in Bhopal. His body was sent for post-mortem, which revealed a shocking twist: it was a clear case of homicide.
Clear case of murder
Sub-Inspector Gaya Prasad, the initial investigating officer, confirmed that the autopsy indicated a fatal head injury inflicted before the fire. A hammer and a scissor bearing strands of Jain’s hair were recovered from the house, along with a bottle of oil, suspected to have been used to set the body ablaze.
Locals pointed out that Jain’s body posture — lying flat on his back — was inconsistent with death by accidental fire. Despite the overwhelming evidence, Rashmi consistently denied any involvement in the murder during repeated police interrogations.
Suspect refusednarco test
While Rashmi initially agreed to undergo a narco-analysis test during police questioning, she later refused when produced before the court for formal permission.
Cops await FSL report
Investigators also seized Rashmi’s ‘kurti’ after finding oil stains on it. The cloth has been sent for forensic analysis, and police officials say the FSL report could be a decisive piece of evidence. However, the report is still awaited, delaying further legal action.
