A 55-year-old man was murdered and five of his family members injured when they were attacked in the early hours of Tuesday allegedly by his former son-in-law and his accomplices. The accused had reportedly come armed with knives, pistols, man-made bombs and petrol at their house in South-East Delhi.
The main accused, identified as Vikram (30), has been arrested. During interrogation he purportedly revealed that he wanted to teach his ex-wife’s family a lesson as he held them responsible for their separation. Vikram’s ex-wife Suman (29) was among those injured as were her mother Basiwati Devi (53), brothers Jai Prakash (32) and Mohan (27) and Jai Prakash’s wife Sunita.
According to the police, the incident took place around 1 a.m. when all the family members were sleeping in their house in Meethapur Extension, Lakhpat Colony Part-2.
“Vikram along with some unidentified persons, all of whom were carrying arms, entered the house and attacked Om Prakash who was sleeping on a cot near the entrance. Vikram fired several bullets at his former father-in-law and stabbed him with a sharp-edged weapon. Hearing the gunshots and commotion, Jai Prakash came out but was overpowered by Vikram and others who attacked him too,” said a senior police officer.
Other adult members, barring Sunita, also came out and they were attacked as well. Meanwhile, sensing a grave threat, Sunita told the five children of the house, identified as Ayush, Sheetal, Bhumi, Nikita and Aman, to hide.
The accused then entered the house and targeted Sunita but by then several neighbours rushed to the spot. To escape the public, all the culprits, except Vikram, fled. Vikram was overpowered by Mohan and later handed over to the police.
The police team took all the injured to a nearby private hospital from where some of them were shifted to the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences Trauma Centre where Om Prakash was declared brought dead.
Among the injured, Jai Prakash also sustained bullet injuries while the other four were stabbed by the assailants. All of them are recuperating at the two hospitals and are reported to be out of danger.
Family members said Vikram and Sunita had married in 2009 but repeated arguments over the former’s demands for dowry led to their separation in 2011. The separation was on amicable terms, they said, adding that Suman was later married to Sonu of Palwal. She had come to her parents’ house a few days ago to celebrate Dussehra.
Vikram who lives in the same locality came to know about her visit. Vikram, alleged relatives, is addicted to alcohol and is unemployed.
A case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and those under Arms Act at Jaitpur police station and the police said that investigations were underway.
