Krishnanagar, Aug. 28: The manhunt for Deshraj Singh, the estranged fiancé accused of shooting his former beau, Ishita Mullik, has taken a significant turn, with police now strongly suspecting that the killer is being actively shielded by his family members based in Uttar Pradesh, who reportedly have extensive criminal backgrounds.
Investigators believe the brutal murder of the 18-year-old was not an act of spontaneous rage but a well-planned execution fueled by an unhealthy obsession, possibly coordinated with and supported by relatives in Deoria, UP.
The Conspiracy and the Gun Runner
Police sources, including inputs from the UP police, reveal that at least two members of Deshraj’s extended family in Deoria were recently arrested for unlawful activities. Officers suspect these criminally-inclined relatives not only influenced Deshraj’s violent temperament but may have been instrumental in helping him procure the murder weapon and evade arrest afterward.
The investigation has focused on Deshraj’s cousin, Nitin Prasad Singh, who is physically challenged (deaf and mute). Police suspect Nitin played a key role in the conspiracy. It is believed that Nitin traveled to Kanchrapara on August 19 from Deoria and returned just five days later, on August 24, using a reserved train ticket originally arranged by Deshraj’s father for his son. Investigators now theorize that Nitin’s specific purpose was to deliver the gun and ammunition that Deshraj later used to kill Ishita.
“It appears to be a well-planned murder for which Deshraj had taken sufficient time, ensuring he had enough of a head start to mislead us after the crime,” said a senior Krishnanagar police officer. The officer noted that Deshraj deliberately avoided local support, which made tracking his movements more difficult. Records show Deshraj maintained regular contact with Nitin in the month leading up to the killing, carefully coordinating his actions.
The ‘Bahubali’ Connection
Suspicion also extends to two of Deshraj’s paternal uncles, Dangal Singh and Mangal Singh, who are locally known as “Bahubalis” (strongmen) with long criminal histories and several pending cases. Both brothers were recently released on bail.
A police source indicated that Deshraj had a “good rapport” with these uncles. “Even if their direct involvement in the murder is not established, we strongly believe they are helping him evade arrest,” the source added.
Obsession and Premeditation
The murder, which took place on Monday, August 25, involved Deshraj storming Ishita’s home and shooting her three times in the head at close range after she definitively severed ties with him.
Ishita’s decision to cut off all communication pushed Deshraj into desperation. About a month ago, he even convinced mutual friends to arrange a conference call to persuade her to marry him. During that call, he issued a chilling warning: if she rejected him, he would permanently return to Deoria. Ishita firmly refused, a defiance that investigators believe triggered the final plot.
A psychologist commented that Deshraj appears to suffer from an “obsession” about Ishita. “Behind the crime lies the portrait of a young man consumed by obsession. Unable to accept rejection, Deshraj’s desire to possess Ishita spiraled into a deadly fixation,” the expert said, linking his uncontrollable impulses to the encouragement and possible assistance of his criminal family.
Deshraj’s past reflects this violent disposition. His hot-headed and rowdy behavior led to his dismissal from Kendriya Vidyalaya, where he met Ishita. Investigations in Deoria revealed that whenever Deshraj was home on leave, he would spend time with his uncles and cousins, frequently getting involved in local brawls and threatening people.
“The maturity he has shown in hatching and executing this conspiracy is not the work of a novice. He was supported by a section of his family,” a senior officer concluded, assuring the public that despite the difficulty in tracking him due to the deliberate lack of a local trail, Deshraj will be arrested soon.