He kept swatting flies, they kept coming back: How a man’s shirt helped MP police crack murder case

JABALPUR: He kept swatting flies, and they kept coming back. Now, he's swatting mosquitoes behind bars.Flies have helped solve a blind murder mystery in Jabalpur by leading police to a 19-year-old suspect who had already been cleared for want of evidence.On the morning of Oct 31, locals found a body lying in a field on the outskirts of the city. He was identified as 26-year-old Manoj Thakur, who was reported missing the previous night.Manoj was last seen on Oct 30, Diwali-eve, when he bought alcohol at a local shop and shared a meal with his nephew, Dharam Singh. Manoj never returned home. His family went looking for him and then approached police.Since Dharam was the last person seen with Manoj, he was questioned but there was no evidence linking him to the killing, and no clear motive. Nothing was missing, there was no robbery and police couldn't find anyone he had a dispute with in spite of interviewing dozens of potential witnesses."The nephew was a prime suspect in Manoj Thakur's murder, but during interrogation, he maintained his innocence," said additional SP Sonali Dubey.After hitting a stone wall, investigators decided to make a fresh start and speak with the last man to see him alive. Dharam had cooperated thus far and seemed calm during his second interview. But he was bothered by flies that were drawn to his shirt, no matter how many times he swatted them.Abhishek Payasi, the officer in charge of Chargawan police station, noticed this and grew suspicions, said ASP Dubey. He was told to hand over his shirt.The shirt was sent to a forensic lab, which detected human blood invisible to the naked eye.Dharam was brought in for interrogation and under sustained cross-examination, he cracked and admitted to killing his uncle in a fit of rage.According to police, he said they were both drunk when an argument began over money -- Manoj said Dharam needed to pay more for their drinks and food, triggering a violent confrontation. Dharam claims Manoj hit him and he retaliated by hitting him with a length of wood. He died on the spot.Police found the blood-stained murder weapon near the crime scene, corroborating Dharam's version. He was placed under arrest for murder.