Delhi Businessman Murdered, Body Parts Found in Mathura Canal; Four Arrested
In a chilling case that has shocked the capital, a 48-year-old Delhi businessman reported missing since February 18 has been found dead, with his body parts recovered from a canal in Mathura. Police have swiftly arrested four individuals, including a woman, in connection with what appears to be a premeditated murder stemming from a financial dispute.
Victim's Disappearance and Discovery
Anroop Gupta, who operated a canteen at Chhattisgarh Sadan, vanished along with his white Kia Seltos on February 18. Initially thought to be a voluntary absence, the situation took a grim turn when his brother filed a missing person report on February 23. After intensive investigations, Delhi police coordinated with Uttar Pradesh authorities to locate and recover Gupta's remains from a river in Mathura.
A relative of the victim expressed the family's anguish to TOI, stating, "We waited with a hope that he would come back. Instead, we had to bring him in pieces." Gupta had been residing in a Dwarka house for approximately one and a half months and had managed the canteen for nearly two and a half years. His father lives in Faridabad, while his wife and son reside separately.
Murder Plot Unraveled
Police identified the prime suspect as Happy, also known as Suraj, aged 29, who had been living in a Matiala flat with his partner, Rakhi. During interrogation, Happy confessed to a scheme driven by greed. He had met Gupta about a year ago and, noticing the businessman's penchant for wearing heavy gold jewellery and his living situation apart from family, decided to target him.
Happy enlisted associates—Bhupender (27), Balram (28), Neeraj, and Rakhi (21)—to execute a kidnapping plot aimed at extorting money. On the night of the murder, Happy allegedly lured Gupta to a flat under the pretense of a party. The group then overpowered him, tied him up, and assaulted him.
Gruesome Details Emerge
When Gupta informed the suspects that his gold was in his car at the canteen, they stole his car keys, retrieved the vehicle and jewellery, and returned to the flat. Upon demanding more money, which Gupta refused, the suspects stabbed him to death. To conceal their crime, they used Gupta's phone to send messages to his canteen staff instructing them to close the facility, and to his family claiming he was on vacation in Goa and should not be disturbed.
"The suspects even kept the phone inside a car while driving to mislead the family about his location," police revealed, highlighting the calculated nature of the cover-up.
Arrests and Ongoing Investigation
Following Happy's confession, police have arrested Happy, Bhupender, Balram, and Rakhi. A manhunt is currently underway for Neeraj, who remains at large. The family had previously stated that Gupta had no known enemies, though they noted his fondness for expensive gold rings and bracelets, which may have made him a target.
This case underscores the brutal realities of crime in urban areas, with authorities working diligently to bring all perpetrators to justice. The investigation continues as police piece together the full timeline of events and motives behind this heinous act.
