Accused admits to killing 15 women and children; 16 skulls recoverd

Noida, Uttar Pradesh, Dec 30 (UNI) A total of sixteen skulls of children and women have so far been recovered in the digging and searches conducted by the police in Nithari village, following the arrest and confession of a serial killer in the city's Sector 31 here.

The accused Surendra today admitted to having killed 15 women and children, said SSP (Noida) R K S Rathore.

''He confessed to having raped and killed nine children and six women. One of them was Deepika alias Payal, whose mobile recovery led to the gruesome crime coming to light. Others were those who worked in the area as maids or did petty jobs and were lured into the house where the accused lived.'' Yesterday, he admitted to having killed six children.

Surendra confessed to committing the crime at the behest of his employer Mahendra who he says was also a party to all that happened in the house.

''The accused is being questioned and investigations are proceeding in the right direction. However, searches inside the house are yet to be done and more evidence could be found,'' the SSP added.

The police today revealed that skulls of 16 people had been counted from the 'recoveries' made so far and the 'identification' of those killed was still on.

In the searches carried in the 'nullah' flowing in front of the house today, skeletal remains of several women were recovered.

Police suspect they were of the women Surendra confessed to have killed.

Skulls and bones were also found yesterday from the drain at the backyard of the accused's house.

Sarees, bangles and other belongings of women were also recovered from the 'excavations' done over a 100 metre stretch of the about 5-feet wide 'nullah', besides the remains of their torso.

Police had to resort to a lathicharge thrice during the day to disperse crowds which had gathered to witness the recovery work being carried out by them.

Earlier, parents of eight children recognised the clothes of their wards from the heap of clothings, shoes and other belongings recovered yesterday from the house of the accused.

Meanwhile, both the accused -- Surendra and Mahendra -- were sent to judicial custody today following their arrest.

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