Reader Advisory: The following story contains intense and unsettling themes. It may not be suitable for all readers. Proceed with caution if you’re sensitive to dark or disturbing content.
Disclaimer: All the stories under #StorySutra are works of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locations, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The author does not intend to malign any individual, group, or organisation.
© Lekhak Anurag. Any unauthorised reproduction, personal or commercial, without permission is prohibited. For reproduction or commercial use of the story, please ping me on mailme[at]lekhakanurag.com.
“Hello! Hello! There is a dead body in the jungle. Please send someone…” Somnath said in a fumbled voice. “Sir, may I know your name?” the voice at the other end asked. “Somnath… I live in Dharampur village, near Varanasi.” Somnath answered while staring at the lifeless body of a young woman lying among dry leaves and tangled roots. The smell of damp soil and mild decay hung heavy in the air. Horrified, he felt an overwhelming urge to leave the place immediately.
“Can you please tell me the exact location?” the voice asked again. “Take the deer trail from Haripur village into the jungle. You will find the body near the trail in ten minutes. I am leaving. I cannot stay here any longer,” Somnath said as his throat tightened and he gagged. Before the voice on the other end could respond, the line was disconnected.
Within thirty minutes, Mohan Van echoed with blaring sirens and urgent police chatter. Red and blue lights cut through the dense trees, throwing sharp shadows across the forest floor. “Where is the caller?” Station House Officer (SHO) Rajbir Yadav asked a constable as he stepped out of the vehicle. “He must have gone back to the village,” Head Constable Ramnath replied. “Go and fetch him. Girdhar! GIRDHAR! Start collecting evidence. Make sure to photograph everything carefully. Take photographs of this camera first. I want to check it,” SHO Yadav instructed, watching closely as Girdhar followed his orders.
“It is still switched on, but the battery is almost completely drained. Damini, take this and go to my jeep. Put it on charge. We will look around meanwhile. Did you get the satellite images of this location?” SHO Yadav asked while handing over the camera to Sub Inspector Damini Mathur. “Yes sir. I just received them. Here,” she said, passing the tablet to SHO Yadav before heading towards the jeep. As he scrolled through the images, his attention fixed on a small observatory cabin located not far from the crime scene, partially hidden by thick foliage.
“Damini! Ritesh! Come with me. There is a cabin not too far from here. Let’s check it. Hopefully, we will find some clues there,” SHO Yadav called out as he began walking along the narrow trail. “Sir! I found her purse!” SHO Yadav stopped when he heard Constable Tushar’s voice. “Is there any ID?” he asked, a flicker of hope crossing his face. “Yes sir. Her name is Rupali Gautam. She is an interior designer and lives in Lucknow. I will get more information,” Tushar replied while checking the contents.
“You do that. I will check the cabin. You two, come,” SHO Yadav said as Damini and Ritesh followed him. “It should not be too far,” he said while glancing again at the satellite images as they walked deeper into the forest. “There it is. Let’s move faster,” he added upon spotting the cabin. SHO Yadav did not waste a second and knocked on the door as soon as he reached it.
The Cabin
“Can I help you?” a woman asked as she opened the door, confusion clearly written across her face. “I am SHO Yadav. These are my colleagues, Damini and Ritesh. May I know your name, ma’am?” SHO Yadav said quickly. “I am Malti… but what happened?” she replied, still puzzled by the unexpected presence of police at her doorstep.
“May I know why you are in this…” SHO Yadav tried to peek inside, “cabin, ma’am?” he asked with curiosity. “First of all, you need to tell me why you are here and stop looking inside,” Malti said sharply. “Sorry, ma’am,” SHO Yadav replied, realising he needed to step back. “There has been a murder in the forest. We are investigating the matter,” he added. “Murder? Who was murdered? Where?” Malti asked, shocked.
“Around five hundred metres from here, that way,” Damini said, pointing to her left. “No officer, I am not aware of any murder. Would you like to come in?” Malti asked, lowering her guard. She stepped aside to let them enter. “Please have a seat,” she said, gesturing towards the couch. “The cabin looks chaotically organised,” Damini observed, glancing around. Malti smiled faintly. They all sat down as she brought tea for everyone. “Now tell me, how can I help?” she asked, settling into a chair and looking at SHO Yadav.
“We have just started the investigation. Can you please tell me what you are doing here?” he asked. “I am Malti Saxena. I’m a forensic anthropologist and was called to establish the forensic laboratory and research centre in Lucknow. Here, I’m just doing my research. Mohan Van lies between several crime-prone villages, as you must know, and I love being around nature whenever I can,” Malti said in one breath.
“Dr Saxena. Oh, I did not recognise you. We spoke on the phone few weeks ago,” SHO Yadav said, his tone lightening with familiarity. “I had called for help in a case related to a body we found dumped in a drain,” he reminded her. “Oh yes, yes. I do remember. So what is the progress in that case?” she asked. “It is solved. Your insights were really helpful. I think you can help us in this case as well, if your time permits,” he said with hope in his eyes.
“Of course. However I can help. Please tell me,” Malti replied, setting her cup down. “We found a dead body around five hundred metres from here. It is a woman. She looks like a wildlife photographer. There was a camera and her belongings with her. My team is gathering evidence at the crime scene. Let me show you some photographs,” SHO Yadav said, handing over his mobile phone. Malti began scrolling through the gallery, her face thoughtful as she listened to Damini sharing additional details.
“Let’s do one thing. Give me ten minutes. I need to get a few things done. Then I will come with you,” Malti said, handing back the phone. “Sure, take your time,” SHO Yadav replied, visibly relieved. He knew Malti was one of the top experts in her field, having been appointed by the state to set up multiple forensic institutes and laboratories in Uttar Pradesh, though they had never met in person.
“Meanwhile,” Malti said, picking up her tablet and handing it to Damini, “check this.” She tapped on an icon shaped like a camera. “This is the application I use to access forest department cameras placed in Mohan Van. It may help you identify who was present at the crime scene. Camera numbers fifteen to twenty-five should cover the area you mentioned,” she said, smiling. All three officers exchanged glances, as if they had stumbled upon a gold mine.
Damini quickly began scrolling through the feeds, her eyes scanning the footage. “Let’s go,” Malti said, grabbing a few essentials and heading to the door. As they stepped out and locked the cabin, she handed the key to Damini. Damini looked at her with mild confusion. “I have a habit of losing keys,” Malti smiled. “Keep it safe for me. I can trust the police for this, right?” she added with a light chuckle. Damini smiled back and slipped the key into her pocket.
The Investigation
SHO Yadav led Malti to the crime scene. She crouched beside the dead body and began examining it in silence, her gloved hands brushing away leaves and twigs from the lifeless form. Her expression was unreadable. Just then, a shout broke the quiet. “Sir! Yadav sir!” Damini called out urgently. “Sir, I found something.” She handed him the tablet, its screen paused on an image of a person standing over the body. The figure was wearing a hoodie and holding a knife in his hand.
“Sir!” another voice rang out. It was Constable Tushar, eyes wide as he looked through the footage on Rupali’s camera. “Sir, I found something.” He rushed over and played a video for SHO Yadav. The grainy footage showed several graves, lined in an uneven row, with one of them freshly dug and still empty. SHO Yadav stared at the screen, his face tightening. He handed the tablet back to Damini. “Dr Saxena, can you please come here?” he called out, eyes still fixed on the screen. “There are eight of them, plus the empty one,” he whispered.
“What happened?” Damini asked, stepping closer. SHO Yadav turned the camera screen towards her. Her reaction was calm, not of shock, but of deep curiosity. “Does anyone know where these graves are?” she asked, slowly scanning the group of officers for answers.
“He may know,” Ramnath said, pointing to Somnath, who had been brought back to the scene. SHO Yadav immediately turned the screen towards him. Somnath, still visibly shaken, looked at the video. His body tensed, and he gagged, struggling to stay composed. It took him a couple of minutes to gather himself. “Saab, can you see the water body in the background?” he asked, pointing to a small pond visible in the footage. “This is around one kilometre that way,” he added, raising his hand and pointing south, deep into the forest.
“Damini, you stay here and trace the movement of the suspect. Doctor, do you know which camera numbers cover this pond?” SHO Yadav asked, turning to Malti with hope. “No. Maybe 110 to 130, but I am not sure. You will have to confirm,” she replied, looking at Damini, who gave a nod of understanding.
“Let’s go. Somnath, you lead the way,” SHO Yadav said, gripping his arm and urging him forward. The shadows beneath the canopy had deepened. It was already three in the afternoon, and darkness settled quickly inside the forest, making the atmosphere heavier.
“The rest of you,” he signalled to the constables standing nearby, “bring shovels and other equipment. And you,” he said to the forensic team, “half of you, take your kits and come with us. Call in more teams. You know the drill.” He did not pause for further instructions, trusting the teams to manage as they had done many times before.
The Graves
As soon as they reached the site, SHO Yadav scanned the area, his face clouded with horror. “I can count all eight of them… this is horrible… how has no one seen this before?” he mumbled under his breath. Without waiting for an answer, he turned to the forensic team. “Please start working,” he instructed, watching as they began cordoning off the area and collecting evidence. His eyes searched for Malti, who was already a few steps ahead, calmly surveying the surroundings.
“Doctor, do you need anything?” he asked, even as he pulled out his phone to make a call. “No, I am fine. You go ahead. I will wait for the bodies to be exhumed,” she replied, eyes still fixed on the graves.
“Sir,” SHO Yadav said as the call connected. “Sir, we have a problem. We found eight graves.” On the other end, Police Commissioner Ravindra Gautam was silent for a moment. The weight of the situation sank in. “I am coming,” he said abruptly and disconnected the call.
Within thirty minutes, the sound of sirens once again echoed through Mohan Van. This time, they were louder and more numerous. Teams from seven police stations had been deployed. Additional forensic units arrived, carrying advanced equipment. Officers and experts spread out across the forest floor, now alive with hurried footsteps and murmured instructions.
Commissioner Gautam took charge as he stepped out of his vehicle. “Where is Yadav?” he asked, his voice sharp. “Around one kilometre that way,” Damini responded, pointing into the trees. “Okay, continue your work,” the Commissioner said, nodding briefly before marching towards the site with a contingent of officers and forensic staff following behind.
The forest was no longer swallowed in darkness that evening. As the sun dipped behind the horizon, its fading light was replaced by harsh white beams. Powerful torches and floodlights lit up the burial ground. The hum of generators filled the air as tents were swiftly erected to facilitate the investigation. Mohan Van, silent and brooding for decades, now pulsed with urgency and dread.
The horror continues
All the bodies were exhumed one by one, the forest floor reluctantly revealing its secrets. The most recent burial seemed no more than a couple of weeks old, while the oldest appeared to have been laid to rest over a year ago. The air was thick with the stench of disturbed earth and something far more morbid. Dr Rishab, head of the forensic team, approached Commissioner Gautam as the final body was lifted from its shallow grave.
“Gautam sir,” Dr Rishab said, wiping his brow, “we have exhumed all eight bodies. Preliminary tests are underway. Once completed, they will be moved to the mortuary for detailed examination. At this stage, I can confirm that all of them were stabbed to death. I’ll be able to provide further details only after a proper forensic assessment.”
The Commissioner gave a distracted nod, his expression grim. The realisation that a serial killer had operated undetected for over a year weighed heavily on his face. “Do whatever is necessary, but share every finding with SHO Yadav,” he said, casting a quick glance in Yadav’s direction.
“Sir, if I may,” Malti interjected, her voice calm but firm, “I can assist here.” Commissioner Gautam turned to her, interest sparking in his tired eyes. He was fully aware of her credentials and experience. “Please proceed. If you need assistance, Dr Rishab and SHO Yadav are at your disposal,” he said with a faint smile. Then, addressing Yadav, he added, “I’m heading back now. Keep me updated. If more teams or footage from forest department CCTV cameras are needed, reach out to them directly.”
“We already have access through Dr Malti’s tablet, sir,” SHO Yadav responded, holding up the device. The Commissioner nodded again and turned to leave. Just then, Damini and Tushar came sprinting through the trees, their expressions urgent. “Now what?” SHO Yadav muttered, frustration creeping into his voice.
“Sir, you need to see this,” Tushar said, breathless, as he opened the laptop and played a video. Another footage from Rupali’s camera flickered to life, revealing a new location. A different patch of forest came into view, with two fresh graves. Rupali’s voice could be heard narrating in the background. “I wasn’t expecting this at all. There are two more graves here. And I found this ID lying just next to that tree,” she said, the camera panning towards a trunk. “This is some Dr…” Her words were cut short by a sudden blow to the back of her head. She collapsed, and the screen shook. Only the legs of a man were visible as he stepped into the frame. Before she could scream, he leaned down and slit her throat.
Malti leaned in to study the footage, her eyes narrowed. “Do you see this?” she said, pointing at the screen. “There is a large amount of blood near that grave. But there was almost no blood where Rupali’s body was found. SHO Yadav, ask your team to check for drag marks. The original site must be nearby.” “I will go myself,” Yadav said at once, glancing at the Commissioner. “I’ll come with you,” Malti added, picking up her bag.
“Damini and Tushar, you both come with me,” SHO Yadav instructed as they started walking towards the spot where Rupali’s body had been discovered. Commissioner Gautam, without another word, took a separate path that led back to the main road, where his vehicle awaited.
The second site
“I think we should check that side,” Malti said as soon as they reached the area. “SHO Yadav, can you see these drag marks? They are faint, but they appear to lead to the correct spot.” SHO Yadav felt slightly uneasy. “Alright,” he said. “But how did you notice the drag marks so quickly? Never mind. I am probably overthinking.” He followed the trail.
Within ten minutes, they reached the site shown in the footage. “There is the blood pool I mentioned,” Malti said, pointing at the ground. “Where is the ID Rupali was holding?” Damini looked around but found nothing. “Do you really think he would leave the ID here?” SHO Yadav said irritably. “Call a team here and begin the process,” he added, scanning the area with his torch. “It is too dark to see much.”
“Let’s review the footage again. We might find more clues,” he said. “Sir, look at this,” Damini said, turning the tablet towards him. “This is another camera feed. I noticed the camera number. It has a wider-angle view of the murder.” She played the video.
The man was clearly visible, though his face was covered by a hoodie and a surgical mask. SHO Yadav noticed something. “When were these cameras installed?” he asked Malti. “Do not look at me. I am new here,” she replied. “Damini, contact the forest department. Ask when these cameras were installed,” SHO Yadav said, still watching the screen. His suspicion towards Malti was growing.
“Sir, they were installed two months ago,” Damini said after ending the call. “We should check how many killings happened during that period.” “Call Dr Rishab and ask him,” SHO Yadav said. “Dr Rishab, can you tell us how many victims are from the last two months?” Damini asked on the call.
“Only one,” Malti said before Dr Rishab could respond. SHO Yadav turned sharply towards her. “And how do you know that, Dr Malti?” he asked firmly. “These graves are old. More than two years old,” Malti said calmly while examining the site. “Only one body was fresh, and it was at the first location.” She paused. “You are forgetting, SHO Yadav, this is my profession. I had no involvement in these murders, and I can assure you of that.” She stood up and looked at him. “It appears the killer likes to revisit his earliest victims.”
“Sir, I noticed something,” Damini said. “Large portions of footage from the first site are missing. It looks like someone deleted them.” SHO Yadav felt a sudden realisation. “Damini, replay the footage from the moment Rupali was killed.” As the video played, SHO Yadav leaned closer. “There. Stop.”
The man could be seen entering the camera frame. He checked each grave and then walked away along the same uneven path Commissioner Gautam had taken earlier. “He is still carrying the knife,” Tushar whispered. “Damini, Tushar, go to the nearby toll. He exited towards the main road at 8:32 AM. Check CCTV footage and list all vehicles that crossed in the next ten minutes. We will return to the first site.”
Damini and Tushar left immediately. Only two vehicles had passed through the toll during that window. They returned with the details. “Sir, we have him,” Tushar said excitedly. “This is the car number. The other vehicle was an ambulance. We confirmed it was transporting a patient from a nearby village.” He handed the details to SHO Yadav.
“So, you found the killer,” Malti said with a faint smile. “Almost,” SHO Yadav replied. “SHO Yadav,” Dr Rishab shouted. “Come here.” His face was pale as he looked at Malti. “Look at this ID,” he said, handing it over. “I found it in the right pocket of this body. Look at the name.” As soon as SHO Yadav read it, his face drained of colour. He turned sharply towards where Tushar and Damini were standing with Malti. “Where is she?” he shouted. Damini turned around in panic. “I do not know, sir. She was here just a moment ago.”
“Come. We need to find her,” SHO Yadav said as he ran towards the cabin. It was still locked. “Break it,” he ordered. “Sir, I have the keys. She gave them to me,” Damini said, unlocking the door immediately.
They froze in shock. The cabin was completely ransacked. Dr Malti’s phone lay switched off on the centre table. Everything appeared overturned, as if someone had searched desperately for something. The teapot from which she had served them earlier was dry and cold, as if untouched for days.
“Sir… how is this possible…” Damini began to speak. SHO Yadav silently handed her the ID card Dr Rishab had found.
It read, “Dr Malti Saxena”.
© Lekhak Anurag. Any unauthorised reproduction, personal or commercial, without permission is prohibited. For reproduction or commercial use of the story, please ping me on mailme[at]lekhakanurag[dot]com.
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