Ex-IAS Officer Murder: Bhopal Police Announce INR 30k Reward For Absconding Caretaker

Four days after the brutal murder of a 70-year-old retired IAS officer in Bhopal, the police have announced a reward of INR 30,000 for the missing caretaker. Over 150 officers from 12 specialized teams are conducting a four-state search in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Maharashtra, as the suspect, Varun Kumar, remains at large. Varun Kumar, aged 33, is alleged to have slit the retired bureaucrat's throat and fled with his phone on September 30.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Ankita Khatarkar informed that a search is underway across the four states, but the suspect has so far evaded capture. Bhopal Commissioner of Police Sanjay Kumar announced the reward for any information leading to the arrest of Varun Kumar.

Agarwal, who was unwell, had hired Kumar as his caretaker just three days prior to the incident. The crime scene showed no signs of struggle, but the suspect allegedly attempted to set the house ablaze after the murder. He did this by disconnecting the gas cylinder and leaving an electric iron switched on nearby. Agarwal's wife had administered medicine to him around midnight.

Sources suggest that Kumar tried to set the house on fire after committing the crime and managed to escape with the victim's phone. Agarwal had served as a bureaucrat since 1982, holding various positions including that of Director General at RCPV Naronha Academy of Administration in Bhopal.