New Delhi: A 42-year-old assistant professor at Delhi University was discovered murdered at her apartment in east Delhi's Vasundhara Enclave on Thursday afternoon. The victim, Debosmita Paul, taught in the Department of English at Shivaji College. She lived alone in a flat at Satyam Apartment while her parents resided nearby.
Discovery of the Crime
Police reported that a PCR call was received at New Ashok Nagar police station at 2:35 PM from the victim's sister, Devarati Paul (49), who reported that her sister had been murdered at her residence. According to a senior police officer, Devarati had been trying to contact Debosmita throughout the day, but her calls went unanswered. Concerned, she went to the apartment and found the flat locked from outside. Suspecting something was wrong, she broke open the lock and discovered her sister lying dead inside.
Investigation Details
A police team rushed to the scene and found the victim on a bed with severe head injuries. Preliminary investigation suggests she was attacked with a blunt object. Officers also found injuries on her hands, indicating that a sharp-edged weapon may have been used during the assault. Paul was a well-regarded academic whose areas of interest included partition studies, Indian literature, postcolonial literature, and translation studies, according to the official college website. She completed her PhD from Jamia Millia Islamia in 2016 and had earlier earned her MPhil from the same institution. She completed her postgraduate studies from Barkatullah University and graduated from Maharaja Agrasen College.
Motive and Evidence
Investigators stated that at present, robbery does not appear to be the likely motive, though it has not been ruled out. A senior police officer noted, "The earrings she was wearing were found intact and no items have been reported missing so far." Police are also examining the victim's personal and professional background. Sources revealed she was undergoing separation-related legal proceedings at Karkardooma Courts. The victim's body was shifted to a hospital for preservation and post-mortem examination. Police have registered an FIR under BNS Section 103 (murder) at the New Ashok Nagar police station.
