MANISH THAKUR was arrested by the Police from a hotel room in Andheri. Was it a case of ‘crime of passion’ or was it the fake posturing over the net on Thakur’s part that lured Koushambi into such a deadly web, one from which she’d never come out.

 

Koushambi Layek, a 24-year old software professional working for TCS would have never expected that she could have ever faced such a brutal death.

 

Koushambi met Thakur, a navy officer, online two years back and the story goes like this. Manish, in spite of being married lured her to marry him. Koushambi had informed her family, but they advised her against it. Their relationship continued and the police suspect that he might have murdered her because she denied marrying him. Manish tried to convince her several times that he will divorce his wife to marry her. In fact, he had not informed her initially that he was married. Her body was found in a pool of blood in a hotel room in Andheri. They had checked in as Mr. and Mrs. Thakore on May 12. She had been killed on Sunday night and by Monday afternoon the hotel employees found her body. By then Manish had sneaked away.

 

Police confirmed that this murder was preplanned. This is because Manish was already carrying a chopper and a gun with him. They also suspect that he might have shot her in her sleep. The latest updates on CNN-IBN say that after shooting her (through a pillow to avoid noise of the gunshot! and he had also turned up the TV volume), Manish wanted to chop her into pieces. But, he couldn’t and stayed on for almost five hours drinking a whole bottle of whisky.

 

Now where does orkut come into picture: Both of them had their profiles on orkut!

Condolences are pouring into her scrapbook (http://www.orkut.com/Profile.aspx?uid=11725203022944506305) and some "great wishes" into his (http://www.orkut.com/Profile.aspx?uid=348385650417627297)! Using this site, the police tracked the killer at Vasco (in Goa).

 

I was shocked to see the testimonial written by a girl to her future killer:

 

Koushambi: Well, what to say about this guy... He is a really caring and loving guy... He is amazing, awesome and friendly. I need not describe him, as anyone close to him must surely be aware of his abilities. He is an all rounder.. Be it in the field of studies, sports or music. He is a champo...Don’t u think so??? 

 

According to her, he seemed to be intelligent - an all rounder - well his so-called intelligence killed her!

 

Why did he do this? She was the only financial support to her mom, who is a widow. The deadly roots from the net just squashed her life and a family’s hopes. When matrimonial sites make relationships online, we should be aware that there are so many deadly pits in the Internet where you can fall to never return. Can you imagine such an incident happening to your friend? Her friends are all in a shock - they can’t believe that she could get involved with such a Psycho!

 

This reminds me of another incident - One of the girls whom I know met a guy through the net - It all started with friendship and later after a year or two they started dating. They fell in love (that was expected), but before getting too involved she asked for a commitment. His reply was "Oh ! I can’t guarantee that I will marry you - you may have to wait for two years till my younger sister gets married. I can’t forget my sister’s marriage and start thinking about mine.” I couldn’t help thinking to myself: Okayyyyyyyyy!!! MR. PERFECT!!!! - your love for family is like"WOW," but where are u luring this girl to - just for time pass? Is she not a sister to her brother? What is this downtrodden mentality? [Lolakutty says: "Doodh ka doodh aur nariyal paani ka naariyal paani?"]

 

I dedicate this to all those who have got anonymous friends on the Internet. Next time you get involved with someone, at least be careful. Not all the prince charmings or drop dead gorgeous men are really worth it!

 

U can pay your tributes to Koushambi here: http://www.orkut.com/Community.aspx?cmm=32445399

 

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