Victim’s brother executed killings over property

ASHOK JAIN AND HIS WIFE SONIA WERE FOUND MURDERED INSIDE THEIR HOUSE IN ROHTAK ON FEB 13

ROHTAK : A day after a married couple was found murdered inside their house in Rohtak, police on Thursday arrested the husband’s elder brother for executing the killings over ancestral property.

Ashok Jain, 35, and his wife Sonia, who had solemnised an inter-caste love marriage against their family’s wishes seven years ago, were found dead with multiple stab wounds at their residence in Rohtak’s New Parav Colony.

Based on Ashok’s brother Anand’s complaint, the police registered a case of murder against unknown persons. While the police initially suspected it could be a case of honour killing, it ruled out the angle after learning that Sonia’s family had accepted their marriage three years ago and used to visit her regularly.

The police then questioned Anand, evidence of whose presence inside the house were found during investigation. During sustained interrogation, he confessed to have executed the killings with help of his brother-in-law Rahul.

The police said deceased Ashok had one brother Anand and five sisters, all of whom were married. Their parents had passed away and had left their ancestral house in New Parav Colony, to which both Ashok and Anand had claimed their right.

Around a year ago, the brothers had reached a settlement under which the house would be transferred to Ashok while he would give Rs 10 lakh to Anand.

As part of the settlement, Ashok gave Rs 1.5 lakh as its first payment to Anand and got the house registered in his name.

The remaining amount was to be given in installments. The police said for the past few months, Ashok, who ran a shop, was not being able to pay the money to his brother.

Angered over non-payment of money, Anand killed him and his wife, so that he could claim the house.

The duo came to Ashok’s residence on Tuesday night on pretext of some work and stayed there for the night.

On Wednesday morning at 5 am, they requested Sonia to come to their room with tea, during which they stabbed her with knives.

Ashok, who got up hearing his wife’s cries, was also stabbed while he was in his bed. After killing the couple, the duo returned home to Delhi. The police said Anand was arrested while Rahul was on the run.