Remember the soft-spoken, erudite Joe, aka Penn Badgley, in the Netflix bestseller “You”? Or back home, the absolutely average middle-aged, rustic Vijay Varma in Dahaad?
The Cyber Cell of Gujarat police has finally arrested a similar murderer, an absolute, rigid criminal, a much-below-average-looking middle-aged man who has no remorse for killing his wife, Sajni, on Valentine’s Day and was still on a woman-wooing spree.
Tarun Jinarah had wooed Sajni to marry him. They were married for three years, and they had planned a romantic evening. Tarun had courted Sajni, took her parents’ consent, and married her in 2003. It was going to be their third Valentine’s Day.
Sajni came back from her bank, where she was described as an efficient worker, dressed up for a romantic evening, and waited for her husband. But a gang reportedly invaded their Bopal home, and Sajni was killed mercilessly. Tarun was injured, but he survived and seemingly got a depressed demeanor.
Soon, a police investigation revealed that Tarun was serial dating another woman to whom he had promised marriage and probably a Valentine’s Day date. The girl, however, came forth admitting that Tarun had confided in her that he was going to divorce Sajni and marry her.
Obviously, she left the sick Tarun after Sajni’s murder. But by then, Tarun had already absconded. Kudos to Ahmedabad police for Tarun Jinaraj has been arrested after he charmed, cheated, and conspired with people across the country for nearly two decades.
He had stolen his friends’ identities and traveled extensively from Gujarat to UP, Delhi, Hyderabad, Karnataka, and many other places. In between, he was caught and lodged in Sabarmati prison where he consciously emerged as a repentant prisoner with a changed character of good integrity. He was given bail, which he jumped as a part of his pre-conceived plan. The only one who stood beside Tarun was his old frail mother.
However, Gujarat police need to be “accoladed” for not giving up on the case. There were no strong political connections, political references, or societal pressure, but the police persisted.
Police investigations maintained a detailed file on this enigmatic psychopath, who soon ran away from jail. Tarun, originally from Kerala, came and settled down in Bopal in Ahmedabad. His acquaintances described him as a soft-spoken, introverted man. After killing his wife Sajni, Tarun went to Nazafgarh in Delhi, besides probably to Hyderabad and Bengaluru, where he reportedly stole his friend’s identity.
A few days back, he was on a train near Delhi when he cried foul that his bag, with all his stuff, including his Aadhar card and identity, had been stolen. Soon, Tarun embarked upon a new exercise, which was, of course, required, but Tarun became Justin Joseph! He managed to get another girlfriend also. The unassuming girlfriend, with Tarun’s mother, transferred Rs 24 lacs, which came to the notice of Sarkhej police station in Ahmedabad.
Ajit Rajiaan
DCP cyber crime branch who guided the team in the sensational case.
DCP Ajit Raijian, who meticulously guided the case, said persistence was the key.
ACP Jitu Yadav, who trailed Tarun aka Justin, says that watertight planning and analyzing every small bit of information they got was studied.
Police sources say Tarun aka Justin’s mother has surprisingly been regularly in touch with her son for all 23 years and may soon be arrested. Police are also verifying another offense registered against one of his taken identities in Madhya Pradesh.
