‘Spurned lover’ kills 24-yr-old woman

A 24-year-old woman was shot dead in front of her brother allegedly by her ‘spurned lover’ and his three accomplices. The incident happened at the woman’s Panchsheel Vihar residence near Khirki Extension in south Delhi’s Malviya Nagar early on Saturday morning, police said.

Two of the alleged accused, including the spurned lover Manoj, were arrested soon after. The other two, whose identities were withheld by the police, were at large till the filing of the report. The woman worked in a beauty parlour in Saket area, police said.

Chinmoy Biswal, additional deputy commissioner of police (south), said Manoj was identified and arrested after they found his mobile number saved in the woman’s mobile with the code name ‘MS’.

“We examined the cell phone records of the woman and Manoj and it helped us locate Manoj and arrest him within six hours of the crime. Manoj’s friend, who was with him during the crime, has also been arrested,” said Biswal adding raids were on to nab the other two suspects. The suspects were captured on a CCTV camera.

Around 12.30 am, Biswal said, the woman was at home with her brother and sister when Manoj along with four associates arrived. Manoj called out the woman’s name and asked her to meet him.

She opened the door to ask Manoj to leave. An argument broke out between them. Hearing the commotion, the woman’s brother came out.

“Manoj took out a pistol and fired at her. The bullet hit her chest and she collapsed. The attackers fled the crime scene,” said Biswal. Hearing the gunshot, some neighbours came out and rushed the woman to a nearby private hospital where she succumbed to injuries later in the day. A case of murder was registered at the Malviya Nagar police station.

Investigators learnt that Manoj, who lived at Tigri in Neb Sarai, wanted to marry the woman. However, she had rejected his proposal.

“Manoj was adamant. He began stalking and threatening her. The man had threatened to kill her brother if she did not accept his proposal,” said an investigator. The woman had told her family about the threats.

“Even though the woman’s family threatened to file a police complaint against him, Manoj didn’t pay heed to the threats. Manoj has told us that he arranged the pistol from his friend,” said the officer adding Manoj is unemployed.