Cook held for killing cousin, brother-in-law
A 28-year-old cook was arrested for murdering his relatives for money and leaving their bodies to rot at their rented southeast Delhi residence for an entire fortnight, police said on Thursday.
A 28-year-old cook was arrested for murdering his relatives for money and leaving their bodies to rot at their rented southeast Delhi residence for an entire fortnight, police said on Thursday.
Identified as Som Bahadur Gaha, the accused had strangled his cousin Pavitra to death on the afternoon of February 14 before luring his brother-in-law Ram Bahadur Thapa to the same fate, said Ajay Chaudhry, additional CP (southeast).
"Som Bahadur used to live with and work for the couple, who operated a small Chinese food van, and had been absconding after having visited them on the day of the incident," said additional CP Chaudhry.
On Monday, the couple's bodies were discovered in a highly decomposed state, concealed in quilts after the local police broke down the door of their Giri Nagar house around 9:30pm.
A team from the local police station was sent to examine the house after neighbours complained of a foul smell emanating from within. Local inquiry revealed that Ram and Pavitra used to run a Chinese food stall at the Tilak Khand area and had shifted to their new residence around 11 months ago.
"Som Bahadur was apprehended from the New Delhi Railway Station minutes before he was about to board a train for Pune where his wife, who he had met on Facebook, stays," Chaudhry said.
According to the police, Som Bahadur admitted to both murders. He said he had requested Pavitra for some money. When she refused, he strangled her with a rope.
"Since Ram Bahadur was not in the house at that time, he called him using Pavitra's phone. After about 15 minutes, he strangled Ram Bahadur to death with the same rope," said Chaudhry.