A 38-year-old man has been arrested in Delhi for allegedly murdering his live-in partner and her nine-year-old daughter in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district, police said. The accused, identified as Deepak Bahadur, a Nepalese national, was apprehended after a brief manhunt and has been handed over to Uttarakhand Police for further investigation.
The double murder case was registered at Kotwali Rudraprayag police station after authorities discovered the bodies inside a rented accommodation in the district. The arrest was made near the New Delhi Railway Station when the suspect was allegedly attempting to escape to Mumbai.
Police said technical surveillance and coordinated efforts between Delhi Police and Uttarakhand Police helped track the suspect within a few days of the crime coming to light.
Crime discovered after foul smell from room
The shocking incident surfaced on March 6, when residents of the locality reported a foul smell coming from a locked rented room where the woman lived with the accused and her daughter.
Upon entering the room, police found the decomposed bodies of the woman and her minor daughter. Investigators suspected foul play and soon identified Deepak Bahadur as the prime suspect, as he had been missing since the time of the incident.
A police team was immediately formed to trace the accused. Authorities used phone records and other digital clues to locate him in the national capital.
Relationship began through social media
During initial questioning, the accused reportedly told investigators that he had met the woman through social media and the two later began living together in Rudraprayag.
However, the relationship had become strained in recent months due to frequent quarrels and suspicions of infidelity, police sources said. The arguments between the couple allegedly intensified, eventually leading to the violent crime.
According to investigators, a heated argument between the couple escalated into a deadly attack, after which the accused also killed the woman’s young daughter.
Accused attempted to flee after crime
After committing the crime, the accused allegedly fled the scene and switched locations to avoid being caught. Police said he was planning to board a train from Delhi to Mumbai in an attempt to evade arrest.
However, authorities managed to track him down using surveillance and intelligence inputs. He was detained near New Delhi Railway Station and later formally arrested.
Officials said the accused has now been handed over to Uttarakhand Police, who will carry out further interrogation and legal proceedings.
Investigation underway
Police have registered a case of double murder under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and launched a detailed investigation.
Investigators are working to determine the exact sequence of events leading to the deaths and whether any additional factors contributed to the crime. Forensic teams have also examined the crime scene and collected evidence from the rented house.
Authorities said further questioning of the accused is expected to provide more details about the motive and circumstances behind the killings.
The brutal incident has shocked residents of the area and once again raised concerns about domestic violence and crimes arising from troubled relationships.