Couple attacked after being found together:Man knocked unconscious in forest, woman gang-raped; both poisoned and killed

In Part 1 of the Madhya Pradesh Crime Files, the discovery of two skeletons in the forests of Chhatarpur sent shockwaves across the area. The remains were identified as Sakshi and Monu, who had been missing for 14 days. Initially, their families suspected that the pair had eloped due to a relationship and, fearing social stigma, did not approach the police. After two weeks, their skeletal remains were discovered in a forested area. The scene was deeply disturbing, skulls and bones were scattered across a radius of nearly 200 metres. Identification was made through their clothing, sandals and bags. At the crime scene, investigators recovered empty vials of Sulfas tablets and two used condoms. Their mobile phones and several personal belongings were missing. Forensic analysis confirmed that the deaths were not suicides but involved robbery, gang rape and murder. Key breakthrough through mobile tracking A significant lead emerged during the investigation when police traced one of the victim’s mobile phones to a nearby village. The device was recovered from a man named Kamta Kushwaha. During questioning, Kushwaha stated that the phone had been given to him by Devendra Rai, a resident of the same village. He also admitted that he had seen the bodies in the forest but failed to inform the authorities, raising further suspicion. Suspicion leads to farmhouse connection As the investigation progressed, police intensified interrogation of several individuals, including Devendra Rai and Kamta Kushwaha. Gradually, the case began to unravel. It emerged that Devendra Rai had been employed for nearly 15 years at a farmhouse owned by Rakesh Goswami, located close to the crime scene. This connection proved crucial in linking the suspects to the incident. Crime unfolds: Attack in the forest During separate interrogations, Devendra Rai eventually confessed. He revealed that he had seen a young man and woman in a compromising situation in the forest and informed his employer, Rakesh Goswami. Rakesh arrived at the spot armed with a stick, while Devendra carried an axe. The two approached the couple quietly, catching them off guard. Rakesh struck the young man on the head with a stick, rendering him unconscious. The young woman, terrified, pleaded for her life, but the accused had already formed their intentions. Forced poisoning and attempted cover-up Fearing that the woman might survive and identify them, the accused strangled her, leaving her semi-conscious. Both victims were now incapacitated. To ensure their deaths and evade identification, Rakesh instructed Devendra to fetch Sulfas tablets from the farmhouse. Devendra returned with two boxes of the pesticide along with a bottle of water. The tablets were then administered to the victims. Robbery and destruction of evidence Following the assault, the accused robbed approximately ₹2,500–₹2,600 from the young man’s wallet. They separated documents and photographs to conceal the victims’ identities. One of the mobile phones was kept, while the other belongings were hidden at the farmhouse days later. The presence of used condoms at the scene further corroborated the charges of sexual assault. Conviction and sentencing Police arrested Rakesh Goswami and his driver Devendra Rai, on charges of rape and murder. The prosecution presented strong evidence, including forensic findings and the post-mortem report. On 30 December 2023, the Chhatarpur District Court found both men guilty and sentenced them to double life imprisonment for rape and murder.

Also Read Part 1- College student and boyfriend go missing, untraceable for 14 days: Bodies found in forest after gangrape and murder