65-year-old Vir Chakra awardee killed in sleep

A Vir Chakra-awardee retired Army officer was allegedly murdered during sleep by his juvenile servant and three others at his residence in West Patel Nagar here on Thursday morning. The accused persons, who fled with jewellery and valuables after committing the murder, were arrested later in the day.

The victim, 65-year-old Maj. (Retd.) Rohit Sethi, fought the 1971 Indo-Pak war for the Indian Army. He was also associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Army Cell.

Major Sethi, who ran a paying guest house, lived with his 93-year-old mother and four domestic helps.

The caretaker of the guest house and two domestic helps are among those held for the robbery and murder.

“The juvenile had been employed at the victim’s house only four days ago. He and two others had been roped in by the caretaker of a paying guest house run by Sethi on the first and second floor of his house,” said a police officer.

The victim’s mother found something amiss when he did not get up at his usual time of 6 a.m. When she found the room locked, she raised an alarm. “The victim was found with visible injury marks on his face, mouth and shoulders. ,” said a police officer.