Search continues for suspect in Shabad six-murder case

The prime suspect in the Shabad killings, Raj Kumar, remained absconding for a second consecutive day despite an intensive police search. Ten special teams have been deployed, while police are also investigating reports that he may have attempted suicide

Hyderabad: For the second consecutive day, the man who went on a killing spree at Shabad, claiming the lives of six persons, including his wife and two sons, as well as a minor girl who had filed a POCSO case against him, her mother and grandmother, continued to elude the police dragnet.

Hunting for Raj Kumar, the prime suspect in the killings that sent shockwaves across the State, the Future City Police has deployed 10 special teams. However, Raj Kumar remained absconding for more than 48 hours, though the police recovered his abandoned car near Kothur in Ranga Reddy district on Saturday morning.

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Preliminary investigation revealed that Raj Kumar abandoned the vehicle and proceeded on foot towards a nearby railway station. The car was hired through a travel agency, and the police questioned its owner as part of the investigation. Police teams have been conducting searches at several locations across four States to apprehend him.

The police have sought the help of villagers and local youth groups in and around Kothur to trace the suspect.

After allegedly killing the six persons, Raj Kumar called his father over the phone and informed him that he would end his life. The police are searching wells and forest areas on the outskirts to ascertain whether he had ended his life. They have also checked railway tracks and contacted the railway police to verify whether anyone had died by suicide.

Meanwhile, sources indicated that Raj Kumar had been taken into police custody. However, there was no official confirmation, and speculation and rumours continued to circulate throughout the day.