Chandrakant Jha (born 1967) is an Indian serial killer who befriended, then killed and dismembered 18 victims in West Delhi between 1998 and 2007. His first killing took place in 1998 for which he was arrested and held in jail until 2002, when he was released due to lack of evidence.[2] Following his release, he embarked upon a spate of killings. First Shekar and Umesh in 2003, then Guddu in 2005, then Amit in 2006 and finally Upender and Dalip in 2007. He would befriend migrant labourers from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and help them get small jobs. Later, petty disputes over things like theft, lying or being non-vegetarian would lead him to murder them by strangulation.[3] Chandrakant took pleasure in taunting the police by leaving dismembered body parts around the city and outside the Tihar Jail with notes, daring the police to catch him.[4]
Chandrakant Jha | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1967 (age 56–57) |
| Other names | The Butcher of Delhi |
| Known for | Murder and track dismemberment of former associates |
| Conviction(s) | Guilty on 3 counts of murder |
| Criminal penalty | Death sentence (commuted to life imprisonment) |
| Details | |
| Victims | Pandit, aka Mangal (1998)
Shekhar (2003) Umesh (2003) Guddu (2005) Anil Mandal (2006) Upender (2007) Dilip (2007) [1] |
| Country | India |
| State(s) | Delhi |
| Target(s) | Young male migrants |
Date apprehended | 1998, 2003, May 2007 |
He was found guilty on three counts of murder and received two death sentences and life imprisonment until death in February 2013.[5] His death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment without remission in January 2016.[6] In January 2022, his request for parole was denied.[7]
Chandrakant worked as a hawker in Delhi's weekly bazaars.[8] He married twice, abandoning his first wife within a year. He has five daughters with his second wife.[9] He mostly lived away from his family.
In August 2023, The High Court granted a 90-day parole to him. Jha had sought parole, saying he has to finalise a "suitable groom" for his eldest daughter.[10]
In popular culture
edit20 July 2022, Netflix released a Documentary series called Indian Predator: The Butcher of Delhi, a series on Chandrakant Jha's life and his killings.[11]
References
edit- ^ "Indian Predator: The Butcher of Delhi". Netflix India. 20 July 2022.
- ^ Shakil, Shana (13 February 2013). "Serial killer Chandrakant Jha ate dinner in the same room where his victims lay dead". India Today.
- ^ Chatterjee, Pritha (3 March 2013). "Living with a Serial Killer". The Indian Express.
- ^ "Butcher of Delhi: The chilling story of an Indian serial killer in Netflix's new true-crime series". finance.yahoo.com. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
- ^ "Rohini Court awards death sentence to serial killer Chandrakant Jha". India Today. 5 February 2013.
- ^ KM, Ashok (28 January 2016). "Delhi HC commutes death sentence of serial killer Chandrakant Jha to life term without remission". Live Law.
- ^ Mehrotra, Kriti (20 July 2022). "Where is Serial Killer Chandrakant Jha Now?". The Cinemaholic. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
- ^ "Living with a Serial Killer - Indian Express". archive.indianexpress.com. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
- ^ Loop, Veronica (19 July 2022). "Chandrakant Jha, "The Butcher of Delhi" - Martin Cid Magazine". Retrieved 30 August 2022.
- ^ "Court grants 90-day parole to serial killer Chandrakhant Jha - The Hindu". The Hindu. 17 August 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ "What is The Real Story Behind 'Indian Predator: the Butcher of Delhi'?". Prestige Online - Hong Kong. 27 July 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.