Decomposed body found in salt-filled drum; victim’s family missing as police probe links to organized crime.
New Delhi, August 18, 2025
Rajasthan’s Khairthal-Tijara district has been jolted by a chilling crime reminiscent of Meerut’s infamous 2024 “blue drum” murders. Police on Sunday recovered a partially decomposed male body stuffed inside a blue plastic drum in Kishangarh’s industrial area, where the killers had poured salt to hasten decomposition.
The discovery came after locals reported a foul stench from an abandoned warehouse. Investigators say the case bears striking similarities to the Meerut killings, where crime syndicates used identical drums to dispose of victims. Heightening the mystery, the victim’s parents and two siblings have also gone missing, with their phones switched off since Friday.
“Forensic reports show the victim died 4–5 days ago and had injuries consistent with a violent struggle,” said DSP Rajesh Kumar. “The use of salt suggests careful planning and attempts to evade detection.”
The case has sparked fears of a larger network at work, with experts warning of either copycat crimes or a revival of organized gangs. The Home Ministry has roped in Rajasthan and UP STF teams to trace the missing family and explore possible interstate or cross-border links.
As anxiety spreads across industrial hubs along the Rajasthan-Haryana border, tough questions are being raised on why red flags were ignored despite lessons from the Meerut investigation just 18 months ago.
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