Sajal Barui

Sajal Barui (Bengali: সজল বারুই) is a convicted criminal, currently serving a life sentence in prison for the murder of his father, stepmother, and stepbrother. He committed the murders at the age of sixteen, on November 22, 1993 in Kolkata, India.cite web
last = Ghosh
first = Labonita
date = 2006
url = http://www.india-today.com/webexclusive/dispatch/20000408/20000408labonita.html
title = Killer Kids in India Today web exclusive
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07] The murders made headlines in the Kolkata press due to the gruesome nature of the crimes and because Sajal Barui and his accomplices were minors at the time.cite web
last = Ghosh
first = Labonita
date = 2006
url = http://www.india-today.com/webexclusive/dispatch/20000408/20000408labonita.html
title = Killer Kids in India Today web exclusive
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07] cite web
last = Kumar
first = Kanti
date = 1999-09-01
url = http://bitscape.info/bitscape/research/the-trend-of-violence-on-the-indian-screen-its-influence-on-children/40/
title = The Sajal Barui case "in" The Trend of Violence on the Indian Screen & its Influence on Children (KK Birla Foundation Fellowship Report)
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07] cite web
last = Staff Reporter
first =
date = 2003
url = http://www.calonline.com/news/Sep01/17/CAL2.html
title = Young killer escapes from hospital
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07] cite web
last = Mondal
first = Pronab
date = 2003-05-17
url = http://telegraphindia.com/1030517/asp/calcutta/story_1976639.asp
title = Jailer nails Sajal Barui, aka Sk Raju
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07]

Early childhood

Sajal Barui's father, Subal Barui, abandoned his first wife, Neoti Barui, by whom he bore a son, and had a relationship with another woman, Minati.cite web
last = Kumar
first = Kanti
date = 1999-09-01
url = http://bitscape.info/bitscape/research/the-trend-of-violence-on-the-indian-screen-its-influence-on-children/40/
title = The Sajal Barui case "in" The Trend of Violence on the Indian Screen & its Influence on Children (KK Birla Foundation Fellowship Report)
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07] Sajal was conceived out of this affair.cite web
last = Kumar
first = Kanti
date = 1999-09-01
url = http://bitscape.info/bitscape/research/the-trend-of-violence-on-the-indian-screen-its-influence-on-children/40/
title = The Sajal Barui case "in" The Trend of Violence on the Indian Screen & its Influence on Children (KK Birla Foundation Fellowship Report)
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07] After a few years, his father, returned to his first wife and took Sajal along with him. Sajal did not see his natural mother after the age of eight.cite web
last = Kumar
first = Kanti
date = 1999-09-01
url = http://bitscape.info/bitscape/research/the-trend-of-violence-on-the-indian-screen-its-influence-on-children/40/
title = The Sajal Barui case "in" The Trend of Violence on the Indian Screen & its Influence on Children (KK Birla Foundation Fellowship Report)
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07] After his arrest, he also recounted how he had often been burned with burning cigarettes and hot irons in his childhood.cite web
last = Kumar
first = Kanti
date = 1999-09-01
url = http://bitscape.info/bitscape/research/the-trend-of-violence-on-the-indian-screen-its-influence-on-children/40/
title = The Sajal Barui case "in" The Trend of Violence on the Indian Screen & its Influence on Children (KK Birla Foundation Fellowship Report)
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07]

The murders

On the night of November 22, 1993, Sajal and five of his friends, all of the same age, arrived at his residence in North Kolkata. Finding his stepmother alone, the group gagged her and tied her up to a chair.cite web
last = Kumar
first = Kanti
date = 1999-09-01
url = http://bitscape.info/bitscape/research/the-trend-of-violence-on-the-indian-screen-its-influence-on-children/40/
title = The Sajal Barui case "in" The Trend of Violence on the Indian Screen & its Influence on Children (KK Birla Foundation Fellowship Report)
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07] A similar fate befell his stepbrother, when he arrived, and also his father, shortly before midnight. Sajal and one of his accomplices Ranjit, initially tried to murder the three victims by strangling them, but only the stepmother succumbed.cite web
last = Kumar
first = Kanti
date = 1999-09-01
url = http://bitscape.info/bitscape/research/the-trend-of-violence-on-the-indian-screen-its-influence-on-children/40/
title = The Sajal Barui case "in" The Trend of Violence on the Indian Screen & its Influence on Children (KK Birla Foundation Fellowship Report)
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07] Unable to kill his father and stepbrother, Sajal and Ranjit hacked and stabbed them to death. The entire ordeal took nearly three hours.cite web
last = Kumar
first = Kanti
date = 1999-09-01
url = http://bitscape.info/bitscape/research/the-trend-of-violence-on-the-indian-screen-its-influence-on-children/40/
title = The Sajal Barui case "in" The Trend of Violence on the Indian Screen & its Influence on Children (KK Birla Foundation Fellowship Report)
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07]

After committing the crimes, on Sajal's directions, his friends cleaned their weapons with mustard oil and neatly organized them on the table.cite web
last = Kumar
first = Kanti
date = 1999-09-01
url = http://bitscape.info/bitscape/research/the-trend-of-violence-on-the-indian-screen-its-influence-on-children/40/
title = The Sajal Barui case "in" The Trend of Violence on the Indian Screen & its Influence on Children (KK Birla Foundation Fellowship Report)
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07] Exhausted with the exertion, they ate a few Bengali sweets from the refrigerator, and left a few coins on the table as "payment" for the food, an idea that had occurred to Sajal from watching a television program.cite web
last = Kumar
first = Kanti
date = 1999-09-01
url = http://bitscape.info/bitscape/research/the-trend-of-violence-on-the-indian-screen-its-influence-on-children/40/
title = The Sajal Barui case "in" The Trend of Violence on the Indian Screen & its Influence on Children (KK Birla Foundation Fellowship Report)
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07]

Before, Sajal's friends left, they tied him up to a chair and gagged him, to give the appearance that he was a victim too.cite web
last = Kumar
first = Kanti
date = 1999-09-01
url = http://bitscape.info/bitscape/research/the-trend-of-violence-on-the-indian-screen-its-influence-on-children/40/
title = The Sajal Barui case "in" The Trend of Violence on the Indian Screen & its Influence on Children (KK Birla Foundation Fellowship Report)
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07] cite web
last = Ghosh
first = Labonita
date = 2006
url = http://www.india-today.com/webexclusive/dispatch/20000408/20000408labonita.html
title = Killer Kids in India Today web exclusive
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07] Initially, he was able to allay suspicions.cite web
last = Staff Reporter
first =
date = 2003
url = http://www.calonline.com/news/Sep01/17/CAL2.html
title = Young killer escapes from hospital
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07] However, the Kolkata Police became suspicious, since he showed no signs of a struggle or any other injuries.cite web
last = Ghosh
first = Labonita
date = 2006
url = http://www.india-today.com/webexclusive/dispatch/20000408/20000408labonita.html
title = Killer Kids in India Today web exclusive
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07] Upon interrogation, he confessed to committing the murders and detailed the crimes. Neither he, nor his accomplices showed any signs of remorse. Even when the death sentence was announced, the group chose to clap and sing in unison.cite web
last = Kumar
first = Kanti
date = 1999-09-01
url = http://bitscape.info/bitscape/research/the-trend-of-violence-on-the-indian-screen-its-influence-on-children/40/
title = The Sajal Barui case "in" The Trend of Violence on the Indian Screen & its Influence on Children (KK Birla Foundation Fellowship Report)
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07] . Later, the Calcutta High Court reduced the sentence to life imprisonment.

Escape

Initially Sajal Barui had been serving his sentence at the Dum Dum Cantonment, but had been moved to Midnapore Central Jail in July 2000 due to "administrative problems".cite web
last = Staff Reporter
first =
date = 2001-09-16
url = http://www.thestatesman.net/page.arcview.php?clid=1&id=9639&usrsess=1
title = Sajal Barui escapes from custody
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07] In 2001, while serving his prison sentence, Sajal Barui showed signs of an alleged kidney ailment and was transferred to Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital for examination.cite web
last = Staff Reporter
first =
date = 2003
url = http://www.calonline.com/news/Sep01/17/CAL2.html
title = Young killer escapes from hospital
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07] cite web
last = Mondal
first = Pronab
date = 2003-05-17
url = http://telegraphindia.com/1030517/asp/calcutta/story_1976639.asp
title = Jailer nails Sajal Barui, aka Sk Raju
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07] On September 15, 2001 he escaped from the hospital and was at large until early 2003.cite web
last = Mondal
first = Pronab
date = 2003-05-17
url = http://telegraphindia.com/1030517/asp/calcutta/story_1976639.asp
title = Jailer nails Sajal Barui, aka Sk Raju
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07] cite web
last = Staff reporter
first =
date = 2003-05-22
url = http://telegraphindia.com/1030517/asp/calcutta/story_1976639.asp
title = Two beer bottles to freedom
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07] On the night of his escape, Sajal Barui hosted a beer party to which he invited the two police constables that had been put on guard to watch him.cite web
last = Staff reporter
first =
date = 2003-05-22
url = http://telegraphindia.com/1030517/asp/calcutta/story_1976639.asp
title = Two beer bottles to freedom
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07] He often offered beer that had been smuggled in by his girlfriend, to the constables, so they did not suspect his motives.cite web
last = Staff reporter
first =
date = 2003-05-22
url = http://telegraphindia.com/1030517/asp/calcutta/story_1976639.asp
title = Two beer bottles to freedom
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07] On that night, however, he spiked the two bottles of beer they had been given to drink with sleeping pills and watched them fall asleep.cite web
last = Staff reporter
first =
date = 2003-05-22
url = http://telegraphindia.com/1030517/asp/calcutta/story_1976639.asp
title = Two beer bottles to freedom
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07] He then walked out of the hospital unhindered.cite web
last = Staff reporter
first =
date = 2003-05-22
url = http://telegraphindia.com/1030517/asp/calcutta/story_1976639.asp
title = Two beer bottles to freedom
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07]

As a fugitive

After escaping from the police, Sajal Barui emailed a friend in Mumbai and fled there.cite web
last = Staff reporter
first =
date = 2003-05-22
url = http://telegraphindia.com/1030517/asp/calcutta/story_1976639.asp
title = Two beer bottles to freedom
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07] . He married there and returned to Kolkata, leaving his wife in Asansol.cite web
last = Staff reporter
first =
date = 2003-05-22
url = http://telegraphindia.com/1030517/asp/calcutta/story_1976639.asp
title = Two beer bottles to freedom
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07] . He committed a number of crimes under various aliases.cite web
last = Staff reporter
first =
date = 2003-05-22
url = http://telegraphindia.com/1030517/asp/calcutta/story_1976639.asp
title = Two beer bottles to freedom
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07] Police officers of the Phoolbagan and Maniktala Police Stations of Calcutta were nearly successful in recapturing Sajal Barui in early 2003, after they were able to trace his girlfriend and set up a sting operation to recapture him. However, Sajal Barui did not show up for the arranged rendezvous.cite web
last = Mondal
first = Pronab
date = 2003-05-17
url = http://telegraphindia.com/1030517/asp/calcutta/story_1976639.asp
title = Jailer nails Sajal Barui, aka Sk Raju
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07] . Sajal Barui then took refuge in the den of a local criminal known as "Hathkata" Bishu (Bengali for one-armed Bishu) in Lake Town, Kolkata. He worked with Bishu, under the alias Kamal, and was responsible for a robbery in the Ultadanga area of Kolkata.cite web
last = Mondal
first = Pronab
date = 2003-05-17
url = http://telegraphindia.com/1030517/asp/calcutta/story_1976639.asp
title = Jailer nails Sajal Barui, aka Sk Raju
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07] As the search for Kamal intensified, Sajal Barui, migrated to Jamboni, in West Midnapore district, to work for Rajeev Meti, a local criminal.cite web
last = Mondal
first = Pronab
date = 2003-05-17
url = http://telegraphindia.com/1030517/asp/calcutta/story_1976639.asp
title = Jailer nails Sajal Barui, aka Sk Raju
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07]

Recapture

In late February 2003, a criminal who went by the name of Sheikh Raju was arrested for petty theft in the Jamboni area of West Midnapore district and was brought to Midnapore Central Jail.cite web
last = Mondal
first = Pronab
date = 2003-05-17
url = http://telegraphindia.com/1030517/asp/calcutta/story_1976639.asp
title = Jailer nails Sajal Barui, aka Sk Raju
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07] On May 16, 2003, after masquerading as Sheikh Raju for almost three months, this criminal was positively identified as Sajal Barui by a jailer who had met him earlier when he was serving his life sentence at the Alipore Central Jail in Kolkata.cite web
last = Mondal
first = Pronab
date = 2003-05-17
url = http://telegraphindia.com/1030517/asp/calcutta/story_1976639.asp
title = Jailer nails Sajal Barui, aka Sk Raju
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07]

Activities since recapture

On recapture, Sajal Barui was sent to the Presidency Jail in Kolkata. Here, he formed a network with the terrorist, Aftab Ansari, the prime accused in the 2002 terrorist attack on the American Center in Kolkata and Debashish Chakraborty, a criminal convicted of killing his girlfriend and attempting to kill his mother.cite web
last = Sen
first = Saibal
date = 2005-03-23
url = http://www1.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1060696,prtpage-1.cms
title = It's still raining ransoms for Aftab
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07] .cite web
last = Staff Reporter
first =
date = 2005-05-30
url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050530/asp/bengal/story_4803582.asp
title = Lifer tracked down to uncle’s home
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07] Soon after this criminal nexus was discovered, Sajal Barui was shifted to the Alipore Central Jail.cite web
last = Sen
first = Saibal
date = 2005-03-23
url = http://www1.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1060696,prtpage-1.cms
title = It's still raining ransoms for Aftab
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07] Debashish Chakraborty was moved to Midnapore Central Jail, from where he escaped on May 28, 2005, only to be recaptured two days later.cite web
last = Staff Reporter
first =
date = 2005-05-30
url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050530/asp/bengal/story_4803582.asp
title = Lifer tracked down to uncle’s home
format = HTML
accessdate = 2006-10-07]

As of October 2006, Sajal Barui is serving out his life sentence in jail.

References