Delhi Police Nab Couple from Bihar in 22-Year-Old Nangloi Murder Case
In a significant breakthrough, Delhi Police have arrested a couple from Bihar for the murder of a 14-year-old girl that occurred 22 years ago in Nangloi, Outer Delhi. The arrests were made on February 11, following an extensive investigation and a 15-day operation in Bihar.
Details of the Arrest and Investigation
The suspects have been identified as Sikander, 60, and his wife Manju, 55. Police traced them to Bihar's Banka district, where a team led by Inspector Pukhraj camped for 15 days before successfully apprehending them. This operation was initiated under the direction of DCP (Crime) Vikram Singh, who formed a dedicated team to track down the accused after years of evading capture.
According to investigators, the crime took place on April 22, 2004. The teenager was alone at her home in Shiv Ram Park, Nangloi, as her parents had travelled to Bihar and her brother was in Noida attending a friend's wedding. Early the next morning, around 4:30 AM, the brother returned to find the main door locked. Concerned, he entered the house from the rear and discovered his sister lying dead on her bed with her throat slit. He immediately alerted the police, who arrived at the scene and registered a murder case.
Background of the Case and Suspects
Inquiry revealed that a couple known to the family had been missing since the incident. By 2006, they were declared proclaimed offenders. Despite multiple raids conducted across several states over the years, the couple remained untraceable, making this arrest a long-awaited development in the case.
During interrogation, Sikander disclosed that he was a close friend of the girl's father, who worked as a contractor. Sikander had been employed as a labourer with him on waterproofing projects. He claimed that the contractor had not paid him his wages for years and had even promised to buy him a plot of land but failed to fulfill this commitment. Owing to this financial dispute, Sikander and his wife allegedly plotted to kill his friend's daughter in retaliation, leading to the tragic murder.
This arrest highlights the persistence of law enforcement in solving cold cases and bringing justice to victims' families after decades. The case underscores the severe consequences of unresolved monetary disputes and the lengths to which individuals may go in seeking revenge.
