MAJOR APPLICATIONS OF PSYCHOLOGY

ASSIGNMENT

CRIMINAL CASE ANALYSIS

CRIMINAL CASE- The Billa-Ranga case

SUBMITTED TO:- SUBMITTED BY:-

DR. MRIDULA SHARMA PARIBHASHA
SAINI
TEENA SIJI MATHEW

CASE BRIEFING
The Geeta and Sanjay Chopra kidnapping case (also known as the Ranga-
Billa case)[1] was a kidnapping and murder crime in New Delhi in 1978.[2] It
involved the kidnapping and subsequent murder of siblings Geeta and Sanjay by
Kuljeet Singh (alias Ranga Khus) and Jasbir Singh (alias Billa). Although the
children were kidnapped for ransom, they were killed after the kidnappers
learned that their father was a naval officer, in the assumption that he was not
wealthy. Both men initially admitted to raping Geeta before her murder. They
later retracted their statements and forensic evidence could not confirm the rape.
The two kidnappers were convicted and sentenced to death. The execution was
carried out in 1982. Crime Patrol Dial 100 aired two episodes on Sony TV based on
the story, 723 and 724 on Feb 28, 2018 and Mar 1, 2018. The case was also shown
on the TV series Bhanwar, which was based on real-life court cases.

Geeta Chopra was a 16½-year-old 2nd year student in the Jesus and Mary
College, New Delhi. Her brother, Sanjay, was 14-year-old student in the 10th
standard of the Modern School. Their father, Madan Mohan Chopra, was
a captain in the Indian Navy. They lived in the Officer's Enclave in Dhaula Kuan.
On Saturday 26 August 1978, Geeta and Sanjay were supposed to participate in a
radio programme called the Yuva Vani on All India Radio. They were to reach the
All India Radio office on the Sansad Marg by 7 pm. Their father was supposed to
pick them up outside the All India Radio after programme at 9 pm.
The siblings left their house at 6:15 pm. A man, Kula Nand saw them at
the roundabout at Dhaula Kuan. A man named M. S. Nanda gave the children a lift
from Dhaula Kuan to Gole Dak Khana as it was drizzling.[3][4]
At 6:30 pm, Bhagwan Dass had noticed a mustard colour Fiat car, while traveling
from Gurudwara Bangla Sahib towards North Avenue, near the yoga ashram
at Gole Dak Khana. He heard noises coming from the car, so he stopped
his scooter and approached the vehicle. He saw a girl pulling the hair of the driver
and a boy fighting the passenger by the driver. Dass could not stop the car and it
sped away towards Willingdon Hospital. Several other people had tried to stop
the car. One man named Babu Lal, dropped his bicycle and tried to grab the door
handle of the car, but failed. Dass reported this to the police. At 6:45 pm, he
called the police control room and told them the license number of the car as HRK
8930, but it was noted by the operator as MRK 8930. Dass also reported that the
girl was screaming for help.[4]
Inderjeet Singh, a junior engineer in the Delhi Development Authority returning
home from work on his scooter, saw the car on Baba Kharak Singh Marg near the
casualty block of the Willingdon Hospital. He noticed a girl and a boy sitting in the
rear struggling with the driver and another man. He drove up and lined up with
the running car. The boy showed his bleeding shoulder to Inderjeet Singh and
waved his hands at him pleading for help. Inderjeet followed the car onto Shankar
road. But he lost the car when it jumped a red light at a traffic crossing at 6:45
pm. Inderjeet noted the correct number of the car and reported it to the Rajendra
Nagar, Delhi.[4] The police were slow in their reaction as they considered it
a cognisable offence and that it was outside their jurisdiction as they could not
proceed without taking permission from the Meerut High Court. [4]
At 8 pm, their parents tuned in to the radio to listen to their children on the
programme, but another girl had been given the slot. The parents assumed that
they had tuned in to the wrong station or that the programme had been
cancelled. Their father took his scooter from home at 8:45 pm to reach the radio
office. He did not find his children at the appointed place. He was told at the
office that the children did not arrive. The father called home to ask if the children
had reached home; their mother replied in the negative. Their father returned
home and called his relatives and friends to ask if the children were with them.
At 10:15 pm, the kidnappers went to the Willingdon Hospital in a car with the
number DHI 280, as one of them, Billa, had acquired a cut on his head. The
hospital had taken a skiagraph of his skull. One of them left a fingerprint on the
skiagraph, which matched perfectly with the culprit after he was apprehended.
On being asked, they gave the doctors false names and said they were hurt by
some thieves. The constable on duty at the hospital, Ranbir Singh, took their
statement in which they said they were attacked near Kali mandir on Bangla Sahib
road, their watch was stolen, and the injury was from an iron rod. Ranbir Singh
informed the Mandir Marg police station. At 10:50 pm, two policemen dispatched
from the Mandir Marg station to further question them arrived at the hospital.
At 11:10 pm, the two decided to leave against doctors' advice. The two
policemen, Sub-Inspector Ram Chander and Constable Harish Ram, asked them to
accompany them to the spot where they were supposedly robbed. They took
them to the spot in their car. Chander failed to find signs of struggle. They asked
the duo to take them back to the station. At 1:45 am, they left the station, but
they were asked to report again in the morning. When they did not, Chander
went to their addresses, but found them to be false. Chander inquired with the
Regional Transport Office and found the vehicle number belonged to a scooter

CRIMINAL PROFILING
Behavioral Profiling:

● Victim Selection:The perpetrators targeted businessmen, indicating a

possible motive related to financial gain or personal disputes within
business circles.The victims were likely chosen based on their perceived
wealth, influence, or involvement in contentious business dealings.
● Method of Operation (MO):The abduction and subsequent murder of the
victims were carried out with precision and planning, suggesting a
calculated approach to the crime.The perpetrators exhibited control over
the victims during the abduction, indicating a level of confidence and
experience in criminal activities.
● Communication and Interaction: There is limited information regarding
communication with the victims, suggesting that the primary objective was
abduction and murder rather than negotiation or ransom demands. Any
communication may have been coercive or threatening, aimed at
maintaining control and instilling fear in the victims.
● Disposition of the Victims: The disposal of the victims' bodies was
conducted in a manner to conceal evidence and evade detection. The
choice of disposal method and location may reflect the offenders'
familiarity with the area and their attempts to cover their tracks.
● Emotional Response: The perpetrators likely exhibited a lack of empathy or
remorse for their actions, as evidenced by the callous nature of the
crime.Any emotional response observed may have been superficial or
manipulative, serving to further control the victims or deflect suspicion.
 ● Signature Behaviors: Unique aspects of the crime scene or specific methods
used by the offenders may serve as signature behaviors.Any consistent
patterns or rituals associated with the crime could provide insights into the
offenders' motivations and psychological characteristics

Geographical Profiling:

● Crime Scene Analysis The abduction likely took place in an area where the
perpetrators could execute their plan discreetly, away from potential
witnesses or law enforcement.The murder scene may have been chosen for
its seclusion, such as a remote location with limited foot traffic or
surveillance.
● Anchor Points:Significant locations related to the victims and perpetrators,
such as their residences, workplaces, or places they frequented, were
identified.Proximity to these anchor points was examined to understand
the offenders' spatial behavior and potential motives.
● Travel Patterns:The perpetrators' movements before, during, and after the
crime were traced to identify any familiar routes or areas they
frequented.Analysis of travel patterns could provide insights into potential
hideouts or areas where evidence might have been disposed of.
● Buffer Zones:Buffer zones were created around the crime scenes to
estimate the offenders' likely residence or operational base.Demographic
and socio-economic characteristics of these buffer zones were analyzed to
narrow down the search for suspects.
● Victim and Offender Interaction Sites: Locations where the victims and
perpetrators may have interacted before or after the crime, such as
meeting points or surveillance spots, were mapped.Spatial relationships
between these interaction sites and the crime scenes werew examined to
understand behavioral patterns.
● Local Knowledge and Landmarks: The offenders' familiarity with the
geographical area, including knowledge of local landmarks, streets, and
terrain features, was considered. Any landmarks or features mentioned in
 witness statements or evidence were investigated to aid in narrowing down
the search area.

Psychological Profiling:

● Motive: The perpetrators' motive was likely multifaceted and could

include factors such as financial gain, personal vendettas, or a desire for
power and control. Psychological analysis aimed to uncover the
underlying reasons driving their criminal behavior, which could range
from greed to unresolved emotional issues.
● Personality Traits: The perpetrators may exhibit traits commonly
associated with antisocial personality disorder, such as a lack of
empathy, manipulative behavior, and disregard for societal norms.
Other traits such as narcissism, impulsivity, and aggression could also be
present, contributing to their propensity for violence.
● Psychological Disorders: The possibility of underlying psychological
disorders, such as psychopathy or narcissistic personality disorder, was
explored. These disorders could manifest in the offenders' callousness,
lack of remorse, and tendency to exploit others for personal gain.
● Criminal Behavior Patterns: Analysis of the perpetrators' past behavior
and criminal history, if any, provided insights into their modus operandi
and escalation patterns. Any patterns of violence, coercion, or
manipulation observed in previous interactions with law enforcement or
in personal relationships were examined.
● Fantasy vs. Reality: The extent to which the offenders' actions aligned
with their fantasies or psychological needs was explored. Psychological
analysis aimed to uncover whether the crimes were driven by distorted
perceptions of reality, a desire for notoriety, or a need to assert
dominance over others.
● Emotional Regulation: Examination of the offenders' ability to regulate
emotions and cope with stress provided insights into their decision-
making processes and susceptibility to impulsive or violent behavior.
 Any deficits in emotional regulation or coping mechanisms could have
contributed to the commission of the crimes.

INVESTIGATION
The police control room forwarded the report from Dass to Mandir Marg police station. The report was
given to sub-inspector Om Prakash at 7:05 pm. He went to the Gole Dak Khana to search for witnesses
but could not find any. He returned to the station at 9:55 pm. Inderjeet's report had invoked no
response. At 10:15 pm, the father called the police and gave them the descriptions of the children. The
father searched places where the children might have possibly gone to, including the Willingdon
Hospital and returned home at 11:30 pm.

The bodies were discovered by a cowherd, Dhani Ram, grazing his cows in Delhi Ridge on 28 August
1978, at 6 pm. The cowherd reported the bodies to a patrolling constable, Rohtas Singh, at 12:00 am.
Sub-inspector Hari Chand was sent to the site. The parents were called to the site to identify the bodies.
They identified them as their children.

The autopsy was conducted by the police surgeon, Bharat Singh, on 29 August. He found the bodies to
be in an advanced stage of decomposition. He could not establish sexual assault of the girl due to the
decomposition. He found multiple stab wounds and a broken jaw on the girl. He confirmed multiple stab
wounds on the boy.

The father decided to go to the media. Some newspapers carried photographs. On seeing such the
news, M. S. Nanda gave his statement. The police in course of their investigation suspected the duo to
be involved. They released the photos to the press and a monetary reward was announced. The Mumbai
Police was informed.

On 31 August, a car matching the kidnapping vehicle was found in Majlis Park with the number, DHD
7034. A car had been reported missing of the same make, but number DEA 1221, so the police called the
owner Ashok Sharma. The car had been stolen from outside the Ashoka Hotel within six weeks of its
purchase. Sharma was able to open the car with his keys. The stereo and speakers were missing. The
car's white grille had been replaced with a black one. Two witnesses who lived in the area later said they
had seen a man driving the car and he had asked them for directions.
The car was examined by investigators from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory. Several
fingerprints were obtained from the car. A cigarette butt and hair samples were found and taken.
Bloodstains were discovered. Plates with the numbers DEA 1221, HRF 5411, and HRK 8930 were found
in the car. In the lab, it was found that one of the plates originally had the number DHI 280 but it had
been painted over. Similarly, another number DHD 3548 was found. Some soil samples taken from the
floor mat matched the soil samples from the site where the bodies were found.

The story got much media attention in India. Then-Prime Minister Morarji Desai took personal interest in
the case.The Janata Party, which was in power in 1978 Delhi, was criticised for their handling for the
case. They lost the subsequent election.

EYEWITNESS
● Inderjeet Singh, a junior engineer in the Delhi Development Authority returning home from
work on his scooter, saw the car on Baba Kharak Singh Marg near the casualty block of the
Willingdon Hospital. He noticed a girl and a boy sitting in the rear struggling with the driver and
another man. He drove up and lined up with the running car. The boy showed his bleeding
shoulder to Inderjeet Singh and waved his hands at him pleading for help. Inderjeet followed the
car onto Shankar road. But he lost the car when it jumped a red light at a traffic crossing at 6:45
pm. Inderjeet noted the correct number of the car and reported it to the Rajendra Nagar, Delhi.
● One man named Babu Lal, dropped his bicycle and tried to grab the door handle of the car, but
failed. Dass reported this to the police. At 6:45 pm, he called the police control room and told
them the license number of the car as HRK 8930, but it was noted by the operator as MRK 8930.
Dass also reported that the girl was screaming for help.[4]
● Bhagwan Dass had noticed a mustard colour Fiat car, while traveling from Gurudwara Bangla
Sahib towards North Avenue, near the yoga ashram at Gole Dak Khana. He heard noises coming
from the car, so he stopped his scooter and approached the vehicle. He saw a girl pulling the
hair of the driver and a boy fighting the passenger by the driver.
● A man, Kula Nand saw them at the roundabout at Dhaula Kuan. A man named M. S. Nanda gave
the children a lift from Dhaula Kuan to Gole Dak Khana as it was drizzling
● Two doctors from the Willingdon Hospital who examined Billa on the night of 26 August could
not positively identify him. The radiographer opined that the original skiagraph of that man
matched with the recent skiagraph of Billa's. Sub-inspector Chander could positively identify the
two. Sohan Lal, a landlord in Majlis Park, identified and said that they had rented a room from
him on 24 August and stayed there till 31 August. He said that he had seen a bandage on Billa's
head on 27 August. Another witness, Parkash, the proprietor of hotel in Fatehpur said that he
had given the two a room from 16 August to 23 August. Anil Kumar Gupta, who worked in a
guest house near Gali Telian in Delhi, said he had given them a room from 31 August to 2
September. Susheel Kumar, a parking attendant, had charged them for parking at Buddha
Jayanti Park. He had noticed a boy and girl in the rear. Avdesh Singh Sharma, a physician from
Agra, said he had removed Billa's stitches on 4 September, but Billa had left without paying him.
[3]
EVIDENCE

● The hair found in the car and on the body of the boy matched that of Ranga. His fingerprints
were found in the car.
● The bloodstains on his shirt belonged to blood group AB, which was a match with the siblings.
● Billa's hair was found on the body of the girl, and blood matching his blood group A was found in
the car. Blood of group AB was found on his clothes.
● The signature at the Willingdon Hospital matched that of Billa. The skiagrams of the skulls
matched.

FORENSIC REPORT
● Lever spleen and kidneys showed decomposition. Uterus was empty and normal.Bladder was
empty. Rectum contained faecal matter. Viscera was preserved.
● There was no blood in the body cavity. Hence the same was not preserved. Hair from the skul,
vaginal swab, were preserved and sealed and handed over to the police.
● Injuries were ante-mortem possible by sharp cutting object. Injury to the neck was sufficient to
cause death in ordinary course of nature.
● Death was due to haemorrhage and shock resulting from injuries. Time since death was about
54 to 60 hours." ...
● The body was in a state of decomposition and under such circumstances no definite opinion was
possible about the sexual intercourse having been done but on the examination of private part
no injury was noticed and there was also no injury in the surrounding area suggestive of any
violent sexual act. By violent sexual act I mean that when the act is done against the will of the
lady and the act is also forceful and full penetration of the male organ was done.
● Again if the victim is in a helpless condition in that case also there is likelihood of getting injury
to the private part if the lady is not used to habitual sexual act, and the penetration is full.

ARREST
The kidnappers were arrested on a train a few weeks later on 8 September 1978. On that day, the two
kidnappers boarded the Kalka Mail when it had slowed near the Yamuna river bridge near Agra. The
compartment they entered was reserved for military personnel, so they were asked to show their
identity cards. They started a scuffle with the army-men and were suppressed. Lance Naik A. V. Shetty
recognised them from a newspaper picture. On 9 September 1978, they were handed over to Inspector
V. P. Gupta, at the New Delhi railway station. They were held in separate non-adjoining cells.

On searching their bags, the police found a sword. Their clothes were found to have bloodstains. The
doctor examining them found bruises on their arms and bodies, some of which were recent from a
scuffle. The doctor found the sutures on Billa's head and estimated it to be 15 days old. A wound on
Ranga's forearm was found to be 15 days old. Fingerprints, saliva, blood and hair samples were taken on
12 September. On 13 September, on Billa's directions, they were driven separately to Agra, where the
police recovered a sword from a rented room in Sita Nagar where they were staying.

CONFESSIONS
On 22 September, Ranga made a voluntary confession which was recorded by a metropolitan
magistrate, but the statement was later retracted on 20 November. On 19 October, Billa gave a similar
confession, but retracted it on 27 October. The confessions were later held to be independent as they
had been kept in non-adjoining cells.

AFTERMATH
The Kirti Chakra was awarded to the children on 5 April 1981. In 1978, the Indian Council for Child
Welfare instituted two bravery awards for children under the age of 16, the Sanjay Chopra Award and
the Geeta Chopra Award, given each year along with the National Bravery