In a chilling incident, 22-year-old Sandeep Prajapati was abducted and murdered for standing up to a man who was harassing his sister.

Sandeep’s body was discovered in the Ratapani forest, around 50 kilometers from the State capital, five days after he was kidnapped on December 2. The accused, identified as Awakesh alias Awadhesh, is a wanted criminal from Bihar who had been hiding in the Chola Mandir area of Bhopal. Awakesh, who had been harassing Sandeep’s sister, reportedly became enraged after Sandeep confronted him and warned him to stay away.

Police suspect that Awakesh orchestrated the abduction and murder to exact revenge.Sandeep, an auto-rickshaw driver, lived in a rented room in the Chola Mandir area, where he first came into contact with Awakesh.

The two had known each other for six years and shared familial connections. However, trouble began when Awakesh began harassing Sandeep's sister, leading to a dispute between the two men.

According to Chola Mandir police station in-charge Suresh Chandra Nagar, Awakesh lured Sandeep on the pretext of meeting him on December 2.

Later, Sandeep’s family received a call from his phone, with the caller claiming that Sandeep had met with an accident. The phone was then switched off. The following day, Awakesh called Sandeep's sister, Vandana, demanding a ransom of ?1 lakh for Sandeep’s release. However, Vandana recognized Awakesh’s voice during the call, as he had been a frequent visitor to their home. She immediately informed her father, who reported the incident to the police.Police tracked the ransom call to Morena, while subsequent calls were traced to Nagpur. Investigations revealed that the SIM card used for the calls was registered in the name of a constable posted in Gwalior, who had blocked the number two years earlier. Despite a massive search operation across Delawadi forest, Nagpur, and Morena, Sandeep’s body was found on December 6 in Ratapani forest. Authorities believe he was killed three to four days prior to the discovery.

Awakesh has a history of serious criminal offenses and has been absconding from Bihar for two years, with several cases registered against him. Police suspect that the murder was premeditated, as Awakesh sought to retaliate after being confronted by Sandeep.

Sandeep's grieving family revealed that Awakesh had been close to them for years, and they were unaware of his criminal background. Vandana, who identified the suspect, expressed shock that someone they trusted could commit such a heinous crime. Sandeep’s mother is reportedly devastated and has fainted multiple times since the news of his death.

Four police teams, including the Crime Branch, are working tirelessly to locate Awakesh. Raids have been conducted in Kerala, Patna, Morena, and Uttar Pradesh. Inputs have also been shared with Bihar Police to aid in his capture.This case highlights the devastating consequences of unchecked criminal activity and underscores the bravery of a young man who stood up to injustice, paying the ultimate price. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities remain determined to bring the accused to justice.