Certain crimes gain a lot of public attention
because of their brutality. One such case which captured a lot of the public
was Cyanide Mohan. Mohan Kumar, also known as Cyanide Mohan was a notorious
serial killer who preyed mostly on women. He spread his terror in the state of
Karnataka from 2005 to 2009. His crimes terrified the nation and left it
dealing with the horrible acts done by a man full of evil desires.
Mohan Kumar 'Cyanide Mohan' |
Mohan Kumar Vivekananda, commonly known as Cyanide Mohan, was born in a small village in Karnataka. Not much is known about his childhood. He was believed to have worked as a taxi driver and a jeweler in the early years of his life. Then, he got to work as a primary-school physical education teacher. He committed his heinous acts under the disguise of these occupations.
Cyanide Mohan's crimes were mostly directed toward
young, vulnerable women in search of love and a companion. He would gain their
trust by using his charm and manipulative ways, promising them a better life.
His strategy included gaining his victims' trust and then convincing them to
take the cyanide-laced contraceptive pills after spending the night with them.
The pills were consumed by the victims, resulting in a quick and painful death.
Cyanide, a highly poisonous chemical, made it impossible to determine the cause
of death, leaving investigators confused. To avoid suspicion, he used to ask
the women to take the tablets in public restrooms. That's why, in both the real
case and the web series based on Mohan, the majority of the dead bodies were
discovered in public restrooms. The character of Vijay Verma, Anand Swarnakar,
in the Amazon web series 'Dahaad' is based on him.
Mohan Kumar and Anand Swarnakar |
He would rob them of their valuables after they died. Cyanide Mohan got his title from his method of killing, which was using cyanide. This chemical substance, which is commonly used in jewelry shops to measure the purity of gold, became his weapon of murder.
Cyanide Mohan's reign of terror began in 2005 and
lasted until 2009. During this time, he is thought to have murdered at least 20
women. His victims were mostly young women or those who were in their late 20s.
As the death toll increased, authorities began
to suspect criminal activity and began an in-depth investigation. The
investigation was challenging for the police because there were no links or
connections among the victims. However, a rigorous police investigation finally
revealed the criminal's identity and resulted in his arrest. He was arrested in
the city of Mangalore in 2009.
Mohan Kumar's weapon 'Cyanide pills' |
The trial of Cyanide Mohan was a lengthy case. Mohan Kumar was found guilty of rape, murder, and theft in 2013. The court sentenced him to death. He is now being held at Hindalga Central Prison in Belagavi.
Mohan's news clipping |
Cyanide Mohan's horrible acts had a great impact on society, particularly on the perception of women's safety and trust. The case highlighted the risks that women seeking companionship face as well as the dangers of blindly trusting strangers. It provoked debate about the need for greater awareness and improved safety measures for women in society.
Cyanide Mohan's case is a harsh reminder of the
evil that can hide within seemingly ordinary people. Furthermore, it emphasizes
the necessity for society to address the underlying causes that make people
vulnerable to such criminals, such as social exclusion and economic inequity.
Cyanide Mohan's tale remains an
unforgettable chapter in India's criminal history. His horrific crimes,
which included preying on vulnerable women, shook society to its core. Although
his capture and eventual sentencing provided some justice, it serves as a
reminder of the need for constant attention and efforts to protect our
society's most vulnerable people. By bringing these crimes to light, we may
work towards a future in which such predators cannot find victims and justice
emerges for those impacted.