In a rare example of technology and old-fashioned detective work coming together, Madhya Pradesh police successfully solved a murder case last week in Gwalior using a combination of artificial intelligence, digital transaction tracking, and even a seemingly mundane piece of an omelette. The case involved the brutal killing of a woman whose face had been crushed with a heavy rock, making identification extremely difficult.

Discovery of the Body

The incident came to light on December 29, when the woman’s body was discovered in a forested area under the jurisdiction of Gola Ka Mandir police station in Gwalior. Police officials immediately realised that the case would be challenging: the victim’s face had been severely disfigured, making conventional identification impossible. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dharmvir Singh described the case as “a very brutal murder” and noted that, initially, the investigation had no clear leads.

The Role of AI in Identification

With the victim’s facial features largely destroyed, the police turned to artificial intelligence for assistance. Using advanced AI-based facial reconstruction technology, investigators were able to develop a digital sketch of the woman. This sketch became a crucial tool for coordinating with the Tikamgarh police, the district where the victim originally hailed from, and helped narrow down the search for her identity.

A Piece of Omelette and the UPI Trail

Amid the forensic examination, officers discovered a curious piece of omelette near the crime scene. While seemingly trivial, this clue would eventually prove pivotal. The police questioned food stalls within a 200-meter radius of the location and discovered that the victim had eaten the omelette along with two men shortly before her death.

To confirm the individuals present at the time, the team reviewed CCTV footage from the nearby stalls. They noticed that the two men had made an online payment for the omelette using UPI, providing a digital trail linking them to the scene. This combination of physical evidence and digital footprint allowed the police to track down the primary suspect, Sachin Sen, a resident of Gwalior.

Arrest of the Accused

Police arrested Sen on Tuesday morning after confirming his connection to the crime. During interrogation, it emerged that Sen had been in a relationship with the victim for about a week. SSP Dharmvir Singh stated that Sen allegedly suspected that the woman was involved with other men, which led him to plan her murder in a fit of resentment.

Sen reportedly lured the victim to a forest area near the main road and crushed her head with a heavy rock, killing her instantly. Additional evidence, including a jacket and other items from the scene, was collected and linked to Sen. Combined with the AI-generated sketch, CCTV footage, forensic inputs, and UPI transaction records, this evidence formed the basis for the arrest.

Coordination with Tikamgarh Police

The investigation also involved close coordination with authorities in Tikamgarh, the victim’s home district. The AI-generated sketch, combined with investigative leads, helped the police establish her identity and trace her movements leading up to the murder.

SSP’s Remarks

SSP Dharmvir Singh described the case as a “blind murder investigation” due to the initial lack of identifying features and witnesses. He credited the successful resolution to the meticulous collection of both digital and physical evidence, as well as inter-district coordination.

He added, “After collecting all the evidence from the crime scene, analyzing CCTV footage, following the UPI transaction trail, and leveraging AI for identification, the police were able to identify the victim and arrest the accused. The victim had been living with the accused for the past seven to eight days prior to her murder.”

Significance of the Investigation

The Gwalior murder case illustrates how modern investigative techniques can complement traditional policing. AI-assisted facial reconstruction proved vital in overcoming the obstacle of the victim’s disfigured face, while the digital trail left by UPI payments allowed authorities to narrow down suspects quickly. Even seemingly trivial clues, like a piece of omelette, played a crucial role in piecing together the sequence of events leading to the crime.

This case is also a reminder of the importance of digital footprints in criminal investigations. With the proliferation of cashless payments and surveillance cameras, seemingly minor transactions and CCTV recordings can provide investigators with concrete leads that would have been impossible to obtain in the past.

By combining technology, diligent fieldwork, and inter-district coordination, Madhya Pradesh police were able to solve a case that initially appeared almost unsolvable. The investigation underscores the evolving nature of modern law enforcement, where innovation and traditional detective skills work hand-in-hand to deliver justice.

The accused, Sachin Sen, now faces charges for murder and related offences, and the investigation remains a case study in the integration of technology and investigative rigor in policing.