New Delhi: Delhi Police on Thursday said it has solved the double murder of a 71-year-old man and his wife in Shahdara, calling it a “friendly entry” case where the attacker allegedly gained access because the victims knew him.
Addressing the media, Joint Commissioner of Police Madhur Verma said the murders took place on January 3. The elderly couple was allegedly killed around 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm, while the first emergency call to PCR was received at about 12:50 am, after which police teams immediately began investigation.
According to police, the case was challenging because the couple lived in a house where entry was controlled through a button-based access system, and the victims’ jewellery was missing—suggesting the attacker was someone familiar with the premises. Investigators said the building setup indicated that a stranger would have found it difficult to enter, strengthening the suspicion of an insider.
Police formed a suspect list of over two dozen people, examined technical surveillance, and pursued multiple angles. The case was cracked by teams led by DCP Shahdara Gautam, along with Additional DCP Shahdara Neha, ACP Mukesh, Inspector/Special Staff, and staff from PS MS Park, police said.
Accused identified
Police identified the accused as Ashok Kumar Sen (39), a resident of Nangloi. Officers said the accused had earlier worked as a caregiver for the family after the male victim Virender Kumar Bansal suffered injuries due to an accidental fall (back/leg injuries). The caregiver was hired through an agency and stayed with the family for about 28 days—from August 1 to August 28—living inside the house and learning routines and access details.
Police claimed the accused had given a false address initially, but gradually built trust with the couple. Investigators said the bond was such that even around Diwali, the family had reportedly checked on him over phone.
Motive & planning
Police said the accused was jobless at the time of the crime and allegedly under financial pressure/debt, leading to the plan to steal. Officers said he knew the couple’s son usually went to the gym in the evening and returned late. On the day of the incident, the son had called his mother around 5:30 pm, informing he would return late after dinner, which police said ensured the house would remain without outside interruption.
Timeline and route (as per police briefing)
Police said the accused left Nangloi around 4:30 pm, travelled by Metro, got down at Shahdara Metro Station, then took an e-rickshaw to Labour Chowk on Mandoli Road. Knowing the exact address, he reached the house and allegedly entered at around 5:50 pm. Because he was known to the family, his entry did not raise suspicion, police said.
Inside the house, police claimed he sat with the couple and had tea. Later, at around 7:47 pm, he allegedly killed the woman, identified in the briefing as Parvesh Bansal, reportedly by strangulation. When the husband Virender came after hearing the disturbance, the accused allegedly attacked him using a pressure cooker picked up from the kitchen, police said.
The accused allegedly fled the house around 8:20 pm. While he arrived using Metro/e-rickshaw, police said he did not return by Metro; instead, he took a bus route, going to Kamla Market, then boarded another bus towards Nangloi, got down at Peeragarhi, and finally took an e-rickshaw back home.
Recovery & evidence
Police said the accused stole very little cash—mostly ₹1 notes, totalling under ₹500—but took the jewellery the deceased woman was wearing, including two bangles and a chain set, among other items. Delhi Police said the stolen jewellery has been recovered at the accused’s instance.
Investigators said suspicion strengthened when the team reached the accused’s residence and his wife allegedly claimed he had gone to a temple in Rajasthan. However, police found his mobile phone at home, and it contained photographs of the deceased couple. In one photo, the woman was seen wearing a necklace/jewellery similar to the stolen items. Police also said the pajama seen in one of the accused’s photos matched clothing spotted in CCTV footage, further linking him to the crime.
No criminal history; agency under scanner
Police said the accused has no prior criminal record. However, they added that the agency through which the caregiver was hired is also under verification to check whether due police verification and documentation were properly conducted.
FIR & further action
Police said the accused has been arrested and further investigation is underway. Officers reiterated that, based on the probe so far, the accused acted alone, and no other person is believed to be involved in the conspiracy.
