FROM THEORY TO PRATICE: A VIEW ON SERIAL KILLING THROUGH THE LENS OF SOCIAL SCIENTISTS - A STUDY OF "THE BUTCHER OF DELHI"

Abstract

The "Butcher of Delhi" case, involving brutal killings and mutilations, shocked Delhi and the nation, igniting debates on the immediate consequences of such crimes and the behavioral factors leading to them. This paper examines how sociological theories can shed light on the social and environmental factors influencing crime prevention in the 21st century, using the case of Chandrakant Jha, known as the "Butcher of Delhi," as a focal point. Although Jha was convicted in only three cases with concentrate evidence, his case highlights the importance of addressing mental health issues from a dual perspective’s: from offenders perspectives and social scientists perspectives linked to social isolation, urban alienation. Our research investigates these factors within a sociological framework and explores prevention strategies such as neighborhood watch programs and youth initiatives. Primary data for this study was gathered using snowball sampling, starting with sociologists and expanding to include social scientists and individuals who have committed severe crimes. This data was analyzed alongside secondary data from qualitative research on the "Chandrakant Jha vs. State of Delhi" case. The study aims to uncover hidden aspects of serial killing behavior and develop effective crime prevention strategies by understanding the unseen causes and environmental factors involved.