A 65-year-old woman and her 42-year-old differently abled daughter were found murdered at their residence in Paschim Vihar on Saturday morning.
The mother’s throat had been slit while her daughter was strangulated, the police said. The bodies of Shashi Talwar and her wheelchair-bound daughter Nidhi Talwar were found by their house help Sumitra around 9 a.m.
Shashi’s husband Suresh Talwar died six years ago and her sons Abhay and Vishal are settled outside the city, the police said. Mr. Vishal stays with his family in Mumbai, while Mr. Abhay lives in Canada with his wife and children.
Both of them came to the city after being informed about the incident. Sumitra said she had been working at the victims’ ground-floor house for the last one year.
“I came around 9 a.m. and rang the bell at the back gate, but no one opened the door. I went to the front gate and found it ajar. When I entered the house, I found didi’s [Nidhi] body on the bed. Immediately, I informed the neighbours,” she said.
No one had opened the door on Friday too, she added. Shiny (40), who lives on the first floor of the building, said she had last seen the mother-daughter two days ago.
Nidhi’s body was found on the bed with her hands tied and mouth stuffed with a cloth, a neighbour said.
“Shashi’s body was found on the kitchen floor with a deep injury on her throat,” the neighbour added.
The house was ransacked and papers were lying all over, but jewellery and money were found to be intact, said an investigator.
Shashi’s niece Jyoti, from Gurugram, said that she had met them earlier this month.
“Last month, my aunt had a brain surgery after doctors found clots. She had fallen down while taking Nidhi for a stroll. They never had problems with anyone,” the niece said.
Mr. Vishal who reached Delhi on Saturday evening allegedly told the police that he has no clue about any suspects or the motive behind the crime.
“Vishal said he had been living outside the city for more than 10 years. He used to send money and visit his mother and sister every few months,” said a senior police officer.
Talking about the victims, the neighbours said they were extremely friendly and social people.
“Aunty [Shashi] used to take Nidhi for a stroll every evening. She used to visit the temple every day. I remember Nidhi would sometimes wear a bindi and ask everyone if she is looking nice,” said a neighbour.
Recalling her aunt as a bold woman, Ms. Jyoti said: “Nidhi was dependent on her [Shashi] for everything since birth. My aunt used to say she is at peace because both her sons are settled and for Nidhi, she is enough,” the niece said, adding that the sons’ relationship with their mother and sister was cordial.
Post-mortem
The police have registered a case on charges of murder. The post-mortem will be conducted at Sanjay Gandhi Hospital on September 23, they said.
“The culprit’s entry to the house was friendly. This makes us suspect that the murders were committed by someone whom the family knew. The case is being investigated from all angles, including personal enmity, property dispute, burglary attempt,” said a senior police officer.
