A UP-based stock market trader was found dead inside a locked room in Chhatarpur. Police recovered electronic devices and suspect poisoning, though the exact cause of death is yet to be confirmed.

Locked Room Death

A stock market trader originally from Uttar Pradesh was found dead under suspicious circumstances inside his house in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhatarpur district, police said on Thursday. The body was discovered in a locked room at the family’s residence under the jurisdiction of Orchha Road police station.

The deceased has been identified as Rajesh Agrawal, who was reportedly involved in MCX and stock market trading. According to police officials, blood was seen flowing from his nose and the body was lying on a mattress spread across the floor. A laptop placed nearby was still switched on, with trading-related websites open on the screen.

Police said the family had shifted to the new house around a month ago. Before that, they lived in another house located nearby. Rajesh, originally from Baruasagar in Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi district, had been living in Chhatarpur for a long time.

Door Forced Open

Sub-Inspector Deepak Yadav said police reached the house after receiving information that Rajesh had remained locked inside his room for nearly two days and was not responding to calls from family members.

Officials knocked repeatedly but received no response. The room was eventually opened by force. Inside, Rajesh was found dead in a semi-clothed condition, wearing only a vest and undergarments.

“The room lights and AC were on. His mobile phone was lying nearby and the laptop was operational,” an officer associated with the investigation said.

Initial assessment suggests the death may have occurred more than 24 hours before the body was discovered.

Family Unaware

The circumstances inside the house also surprised investigators. Police said the trader’s wife and son appeared unable to fully understand the situation even after officers entered the house.

His wife was reportedly making rotis in the kitchen while the son remained seated in another room. According to police, both are mentally unwell, and only Rajesh’s 90-year-old mother was able to provide details about the timeline leading up to the incident.

She told police that Rajesh had entered the room on Tuesday night around 8 pm and had not come out since. Family members initially did not suspect anything unusual because he often spent long hours alone inside the room, occasionally stepping out briefly for food or water.

Trading Links Examined

Investigators have seized the laptop, mobile phone and several documents from the room. Police said the electronic devices and financial records will be examined as part of the investigation.

Officials confirmed that the trader was associated with MCX trading and share market activity. Local discussions have also linked him to speculative betting and gambling-related activities in the past, though police said no official confirmation has been made so far.

Neighbours told police the family maintained very little social contact and was rarely seen interacting with people in the locality.

Sulphas Box Recovered

Chhatarpur SP Rajat Saklecha said a container of Sulphas tablets, commonly used as a pesticide poison, was recovered from the room during inspection.

“The recovery prima facie points towards a possible suicide angle, but all aspects are being investigated,” the SP said.

No major signs of physical struggle were immediately found at the scene, though police said the exact cause of death will only be confirmed after the postmortem and forensic analysis.

FSL Team Collects Evidence

A forensic science laboratory (FSL) team later visited the house and collected samples from the room along with digital evidence. Police are also expected to examine call records, online trading activity and financial transactions linked to the deceased.

The body was sent for postmortem examination and further investigation is underway.

Officials said the final conclusion regarding the Chhatarpur trader death case will depend on medical and forensic reports expected in the coming days.