Surat: The murder of the 22-year-old computer engineer has become a major challenge for the Surat Rural police, who are yet to find a lead even after 23 days of the crime. Despite assurances to the family and community members that the case would be cracked quickly, investigators are yet to identify the killers or establish a clear line of investigation.The two suspects—a man and a woman—who were taken to the Directorate of Forensic Science (DFS) in Gandhinagar for psychological analysis have returned after undergoing the tests. The report is expected to be submitted to police within two days.“The psychological tests have been completed and the team has returned with the suspects. The report will be shared with the police in two days,” said Rajesh Gadhiya, superintendent of police, Surat.The special investigation team (SIT) formed to investigate the murder is yet to find a conclusive clue.The killing has shocked the otherwise peaceful rural areas of Surat district and brought to an abrupt end the dreams of the tech graduate, who was planning to travel to Canada for higher studies.Investigators have so far failed to recover any significant physical evidence from the crime scene that could lead them to the accused. No digital evidence pointing to the involvement of any particular person has emerged either.Police suspect that the victim knew her killer, as there were no signs of forced entry into the house. Investigators believe she may have willingly allowed the person inside. The killer took her mobile phone, damaged it and threw it into a water tank, while her laptop was left behind. Some jewellery is also suspected to have been stolen.Investigators, however, have not ruled out other possible motives for the murder based on the manner in which the crime was carried out.The woman was strangulated using the drawstring of a pair of shorts and a mobile charger cable. Her face was also covered with two plastic bags, apparently in an attempt to suffocate her.During the post-mortem examination, injury marks were found around her private parts, raising suspicion that an attempt may have been made to sexually assault her. Police are awaiting the final post-mortem report to determine whether she was sexually assaulted.The investigation has also revealed that the victim’s body appears to have been moved to multiple locations inside the house. Police believe she was killed on the ground floor, after which her body was taken to the terrace and placed in a narrow space.Based on the crime scene, investigators suspect that at least two people may have been involved, as moving the body from the ground floor to the terrace would likely have required more than one person.Police are also awaiting findings from the analysis of the victim’s mobile phone, which has been sent to the DFS. Investigators have been examining her chats on various messaging apps, but no credible information has emerged so far.Officials from the Surat City police’s detection of crime branch are also assisting the rural police in the investigation. However, nearly a month into the probe, investigators are yet to find a breakthrough.
