Experts Flag Warning Signs After Shabad Killings

Hyderabad: The murder of six people in Shabad has sent shockwaves across Telangana, raising questions about violence, revenge and the warning signs often overlooked. Psychologists said acts of extreme violence are usually preceded by patterns such as persistent harassment, inability to accept rejection, repeated threats or escalating aggression.

Sakshi Gupta, a psychologist, said: “The warning signs are sometimes subtle but indicate a change in focus and mentality. Families, communities and authorities should take them seriously, as early intervention can prevent situations from becoming more dangerous.”

She noted that unmanaged anger, desire for revenge, poor emotional regulation or long‑standing violent behaviour can increase risk. “They do not cause crimes, but they are not an excuse either,” she said.

On the murderous spree by prime accused Rajkumar, Gupta said: “After killing the victim and her family, he went back home and killed his wife and two children too. Whether this was impulsive or driven by underlying hatred towards his family remains open to speculation.”

“Crimes of this nature are rarely caused by a single event. They stem from unhealthy patterns of thinking, poor emotional control and inability to cope,” she added.

She cautioned against hasty conclusions about psychological state. “Only investigators and courts can establish motive based on evidence. Authorities should track and record his previous actions to understand what was going on in his mind,” she said.