Police in Bhopal have released CCTV footage of two key suspects in the shocking murder of a retired couple, found dead at their home in the Ambedkar Colony (Sudama Nagar) area under the Aishbagh police station's jurisdiction in Madhya Pradesh.
The bodies of Hemant Philemon (70) and his wife Shakuntala (70) were discovered on the night of 26 June, after a foul smell alerted neighbours to the horrifying crime. According to forensic reports, the couple was shot dead—each hit twice—between 8 and 8.30 pm on 24 June.
Police have announced a cash reward of ₹50,000 for information leading to the identification of the accused, and have assured the public that the identity of any informant will be kept strictly confidential. So far, investigators have scanned more than 500 CCTV cameras and mobile call detail records (CDRs) in an effort to crack the case.
Shooters wore raincoats; footage enhanced in Delhi
Police suspect the killing was a contract hit, carried out by professionals who left no fingerprints or other evidence at the scene. The two suspects, believed to be aged between 30 and 38, were seen wearing raincoats and gloves. Footage of the men was sent to a private technical unit in Delhi for enhancement.
The clarified footage shows the pair walking together before splitting onto separate routes, then reuniting near the Subhash Nagar underbridge, after which they vanish from camera range. Police believe the accused deliberately used heavy rain and raincoats to conceal their identities.
Tenant went missing four days before the murders
Investigators have also uncovered that a tenant living at the couple's property disappeared suddenly about four days before the killings—leaving his belongings behind. Police are now searching for him, believing he may hold vital clues to solving the case.
Separately, footage from a nearby liquor shop showed a man matching the suspects' description purchasing alcohol. Using this lead, police have identified one individual and are conducting raids to make an arrest.
Ten phones changed before death
A search of the couple's room turned up ten damaged smartphones. Investigators also discovered that Hemant reportedly changed his phone and SIM card every three months—a pattern police are now treating as central to the case. Detectives are also probing why the killer took only the couple's phones while fleeing the scene.
Phones switched off before suspects left
According to police, Hemant used a smartphone while Shakuntala used a keypad mobile phone. Investigators believe the killer took both devices with him, but both phones were switched off inside the house after the crime, with their last known location traced to the property itself.