India’s Most Dangerous Serial Killer : Kampatimar Shankariya
Indians pride themselves on producing so many influential doctors, engineers, mathematicians, and future Canadians.
But we tend to forget a few of the nation’s children: Serial Killers.
It’s a pity because some of history’s most prolific murderers were the ones who could have been our neighbours.
India’s most dangerous serial killer was one of the world’s worst too.
With around 66+* confirmed victims, Kampatimar Shankariya was a scary figure.
Very little is known about Shankariya, with just a handful of sources and a newspaper article no bigger than a single square Hide N Seek biscuit.
According to all available information, we come to know that Mr. Shankariya came into existence, somewhere in Rajasthan in 1952, the year Mother Teresa opened up her first ‘Home for the Dying’. A creepy coincidence indeed.
No one knew what he did till 1973*, but that’s the year when various people all across Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana** were found dead with broken necks.
Like a bad 70's Bollywood villain, Shankariya terrorized the area by smashing his victims under the ear with a hammer.
A source says that he sat in dark alleys at night, covered himself under a blanket, and surprised the unsuspecting man/woman with a strike.
His murder spree spanned from 1973-1974. Finally in 1974. he was finally caught and sentenced to death.
So why did he do it?
Because he enjoyed it as much as Jimmy Fallon seemingly ‘enjoys’ the company of his guests.
Just before he was hung on 16th May 1979, his last words were:
“I have murdered in vain. Nobody should become like me.”
If only modern politicians could be as self-aware and honest as this soulless maniac.
Kampatimar was one of the countless serial killers who probably sang the national anthem at one point. It’s a shame that there was no in-depth coverage of this story. If the news of many people being found dead in Jaipur had blown up, it may have prevented future victims at the time.
With so many murder/rape cases left unreported in the past, who knows how bloody India’s history really was.
Take care and stay safe.
*Wikipedia states that his shenanigans began in 1977–78, but Times Of India reports say 1973–1974.
**Many online sources just list Jaipur, but the Times Of India article dated 17th May 1979, broadened his area of operation.
