Bhopal, September 30: A retired IAS officer, Rakesh Agrawal, was allegedly murdered at his residence in Bhopal, with police suspecting the involvement of a caretaker who had been hired just three days before the incident.

Agrawal lived with his wife in the Suraj Nagar area, which falls under the jurisdiction of Ratibad police station. Police received information about the incident around 5:30 am on Wednesday and rushed to the residence, where they began investigating.

ACP TT Nagar Ankita Khatarkar said the preliminary investigation pointed to the caretaker, identified as Varun, who has allegedly been absconding since the incident.

“Information was received at Ratibad police station that a retired IAS officer living in Suraj Nagar had been murdered. The police team reached the spot and verified the information,” Khatarkar said.

She said Agrawal's wife, who was present at the residence, was the first to notice the incident. According to the ACP, the caretaker had been hired through an agency three days ago and has been missing since the incident.

Police are also investigating the circumstances surrounding the murder and the possible motive.

Regarding the weapon used, Khatarkar said it appeared that Agrawal's throat had been slit with a knife. However, she added that the body had been sent for post-mortem examination and further details would be established after the report.

According to Agrawal's wife, the caretaker allegedly left the residence after opening the gas cylinder knob. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding his departure and whether it was connected to the murder.

Khatarkar said police had not yet established the caretaker's whereabouts and were verifying his details. The agency through which he was hired is also being contacted as part of the investigation.

The police are continuing their probe to establish the sequence of events, identify the motive and trace the absconding caretaker.