Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Cosmetics Trader Found Dead With Severed Head in Kanpur
A cosmetics trader named Rajkishore Patwa was found dead near a road in Bilhaur.
His head was found separately in a nearby pit.
Police also found his bicycle and gamcha near the body.
Rajkishore had left home that morning to go to Devha village.
Police have not yet determined exactly how he died.
They are checking whether someone killed him or whether the death was an accident.
His body was sent for a post-mortem examination.
His family said they did not know of anyone who had a dispute with him.
Rajkishore Patwa, a 45-year-old cosmetics trader, was found dead near Khurd Khojanpur on Makanpur Road.
Police recovered his severed head from water in a nearby pit after finding his body by the roadside.
His bicycle and gamcha were found near the body, while no other apparent injuries were reported.
Police are investigating both murder and accident theories, with the motive and sequence of events still unclear.
Rajkishore’s wife said he left home for Devha village around 8 a.m.; his daughter said the family had no known enmity.
- Who
- Rajkishore Patwa alias Raju, a 45-year-old cosmetics trader, was found dead.
- What
- He was found with his head severed from his body; police are investigating whether the death resulted from murder or an accident.
- When
- Tuesday, September 22; his wife said he left home at about 8 a.m.
- Where
- Near Khurd Khojanpur on Makanpur Road in Bilhaur, Kanpur; his head was recovered from a nearby pit.
- Why
- The motive and cause of death had not been established; police were examining all possible angles.
Possible Murder
Possible Accident or Undetermined Cause
Cause of death
Possible Murder
Police suspected the head may have been severed with a sharp-edged weapon and were investigating murder.
Possible Accident or Undetermined Cause
Police said no evidence had conclusively established murder and were also examining whether the death resulted from an accident.
Family concerns
Possible Murder
The body and head were found separately, which police were examining as part of the murder angle.
Possible Accident or Undetermined Cause
Police reported no other apparent injury marks on the body or face and had not established the sequence of events; the family said it knew of no enmity.
- Deceased
- Rajkishore Patwa alias Raju, 45
- Occupation
- Trader in women’s cosmetics and personal-care products
- Residence
- Vaishnav Nagar, Bilhaur
- Last known movement
- Left home by bicycle for Devha village around 8 a.m.
- Evidence found
- His bicycle and gamcha were found near the body
- Police action
- Several teams were formed and the body was sent for post-mortem
- Investigation status
- Police had not concluded whether the death was a murder or an accident