The Delhi Police on Sunday arrested a 29-year-old man for allegedly murdering an 18-year-old woman inside the trial room of a clothing showroom in west Delhi’s Moti Nagar, with investigators suspecting that a fallout in their personal relationship may have triggered the killing.
The accused, identified as Suraj, was apprehended following an investigation into the murder of Shabnam, who worked at the Vastr Mahal showroom near Moti Nagar Metro station. Police are questioning him to establish the circumstances leading to the crime and ascertain the exact motive.
According to preliminary findings, Suraj was acquainted with Shabnam and the two were reportedly on friendly terms earlier. However, their relationship had allegedly deteriorated over the past few months. Investigators are examining whether the killing stemmed from strained personal relations or unrequited love.
The police are also probing the family connection between the two. According to investigators, two of Suraj’s brothers are married to two of Shabnam’s sisters, linking the families.
The incident took place on Saturday evening when Suraj allegedly reached the showroom around the time Shabnam’s shift was ending. He is suspected to have taken her inside the trial room before attacking her neck with a sharp-edged weapon and fleeing the premises. The crime came to light around 9 pm when showroom employees were preparing to close the establishment. On checking the trial room, they found Shabnam lying in a pool of blood and immediately alerted the police.
A police team rushed to the spot and found a deep injury on her neck. A blood-stained knife was also recovered near the body, according to reports. Crime team personnel and forensic experts later inspected the premises and collected evidence.
The body was taken to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
Investigators are examining CCTV footage from the showroom and surrounding areas to reconstruct the sequence of events and establish the accused’s movements before and after the murder.
The investigation has also brought to light allegations by Shabnam’s family that Suraj had allegedly been harassing her before the incident. Her brother said that the accused had repeatedly tried to contact her despite her reluctance and had allegedly threatened him over the matter. Police are yet to verify the family’s claims regarding an earlier complaint against the accused.
According to the preliminary investigation, Suraj allegedly arrived at the showroom during the evening and took Shabnam into the trial room on the pretext of speaking to her. Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the attack, including whether anyone witnessed the accused entering or leaving the premises.
A police case of murder has been registered under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, based on a complaint lodged by the victim’s brother.
A senior police officer said the accused was being questioned to determine the motive and establish the sequence of events. Investigators are also examining the evidence collected from the crime scene and CCTV recordings.
The arrest comes a day after the woman’s body was discovered inside the showroom, triggering a police investigation into the killing. Further investigation is underway.