Delhi Police on Sunday arrested a couple for allegedly killing a 49-year-old Delhi University professor at her apartment in Vasundhara Enclave, according to police sources.
“We are carrying out a detailed interrogation of the couple to establish the circumstances that led to the brutal killing,” the source added.
The victim, identified as Devosmita Paul (42), a scholar of English literature and assistant professor at a Delhi University college, was found dead on Thursday.
The incident was reported to police the same day by the victim’s sister.
According to police, a PCR call was received on Thursday around 2.35 pm from a woman who informed that her sister had been murdered and her body was lying inside a flat at Satyam Apartment, Vasundhara Enclave.
After reaching the spot, police met the caller, identified as Devarati Paul (49). She said her sister Devosmita Paul was living alone in the flat.
The complainant stated that the flat remained locked from outside since morning and the deceased was not responding to repeated phone calls. Suspecting something wrong, she broke open the lock and found her sister lying dead inside the apartment.
The crime team was called to the spot and a detailed inspection was conducted. Relevant exhibits and forensic samples were collected after photography and videography of the scene. Police found injury marks on Devosmita’s head and suspect she was struck with a heavy object.
Preliminary investigation suggests a property dispute, with further details awaited.
The body was shifted to LBS Hospital for preservation and post-mortem examination. A case under Section 103(1) of the BNS has been registered at New Ashok Nagar police station. Multiple teams were formed to identify and apprehend the accused.
Investigations revealed that the woman was separated from her husband, who lives in Bengaluru, and was staying alone in the flat. As there were no signs of forced entry, police suspect the victim may have known the accused.
Police also examined CCTV footage and found that two masked persons entered the apartment complex on the day of the incident and remained inside for around 30 minutes, sources said.
The footage showed a cab entering the residential complex. Two individuals wearing masks and carrying a bag got out and walked to the apartment via stairs instead of using the lift. The cab driver waited in the vehicle.
Around 30 minutes later, the two suspects were seen leaving the building and departing in the same cab. Police later traced the vehicle using its registration number and detained the cab driver for questioning.
According to sources, the murder took place between 1 pm and 6 pm on Wednesday. The victim last spoke to her mother around 1 pm, and her mother arrived around 6 pm, knocking repeatedly but receiving no response.
Initially, around 200 people were suspected, later narrowed down to 13 individuals.
