‘She was very soft-spoken and kind’

NEW DELHI: Mala Lakhani had moved to her Vasant Kunj Enclave house eight years ago from Green Park. The family, which owns the property in Green Park from where Lakhani ran her boutique, said they knew her for over 18 years and remember her as a soft-spoken and kind woman and a smart entrepreneur.

The family lives on the first floor, right above the boutique. Alka Sehgal, a school teacher, said that she had a very friendly relationship with Lakhani but regrets she doesn’t have the phone number of any of Lakhani’s family members to condole her death.

“I came back from school at 3pm and learnt of her death. She has also made dresses for us. We have known each other for 18 years. We had a friendly relationship. She always came across as a soft-spoken and a kind person,” Sehgal said.

“It is hard to imagine she was not paying her employees on time which could have led to the murder. She never even delayed paying the rent,” Alka said. Police have said that Anwar claimed he planned the murder because Lakhani had not been paying him on time the last few months.

Sehgal’s son Arjun, who runs an e-commerce website, also recalls how Bahadur was very protective about Lakhani. “He was also very particular about her belongings and always accompanied her from her house to the boutique,” Arjun said.

Alka added that Lakhani had a sister living in Gurugram whose daughter studies in the school in which she teaches. One of her sisters lived in Dubai, Sehgal added.

Lakhani spent most of her time at her boutique — Tulsi Creations in Green Park which specialised in women’s and bridal wear.