Delhi Family Brutally Attacked Over High-Interest Loan Dispute
In a shocking incident in South Delhi, a father and son were fatally stabbed on Friday evening following a dispute over a high-interest loan. The attack occurred at Tara Apartments in Alaknanda, Kalkaji, around 6:30 PM, leaving the local community in disbelief.
Details of the Violent Assault
Rakesh Sood, aged 62, and his son Karan, 27, were returning home from their office when the tragedy unfolded. As per routine, Karan dropped his father at the building entrance and proceeded to park the car nearby. Unbeknownst to them, their neighbor, Asad Siddiqui, allegedly lay in wait.
Siddiqui is accused of launching a sudden and brutal attack on Rakesh from behind, stabbing him repeatedly. The commotion drew Rakesh's nephew, Rohit, aged 36, who rushed to intervene. In the process, Rohit was allegedly slashed and sustained stab injuries on his upper arm.
Hearing the disturbance, Karan hurried back to protect his father but was overpowered. He was allegedly stabbed five to six times in the back of his head and then thrown over the railing of an open staircase, falling several feet and lying unconscious in a pool of blood. Rakesh, grievously injured, was brought down the stairs and made to sit as he bled profusely, awaiting medical assistance.
Root Cause: A Contentious Loan Agreement
The family revealed that the attack stemmed from a financial dispute. Months earlier, Karan had taken a high-interest loan from Siddiqui without informing his family. When Rakesh learned about this, he reportedly repaid the amount after negotiating the interest down, which allegedly angered Siddiqui, who was unhappy with the reduced payment.
Rajesh Sood, Rakesh's 66-year-old elder brother, stated outside the AIIMS mortuary on Saturday, "Siddiqui operates as a financier, and his mother is a lawyer." A friend recalled a heated altercation between the two sides five to six months ago, though the exact reason was unclear. While some speculated about a long-standing enmity over parking, the family denied this claim.
Family Background and Community Shock
The Sood family, originally from Shimla, has been settled in Delhi for generations and has worked in property business investments for decades. They have resided at Tara Apartments since around 2008. Rakesh is survived by his wife Madhu, aged 56, and daughters Kanika, 32, a lawyer, and Kanishka, 28, a chartered accountant. Rohit, the injured nephew, is visiting from Shimla.
Family friend Rajendra Negi, 50, expressed shock, saying, "Karan was the youngest. The two never fought with anyone and were always kind to those around them. This is shocking." Both victims were known as devoted caregivers to Madhu, who battles a neurological illness. A 44-year-old colleague added, "They always went out of their way to help others. Rakeshji was soft-spoken and respected by everyone, and Karan carried the same kindness. It's hard to believe something like this could happen to them."
Alleged Medical Negligence and Fatal Delays
Locals and family members claimed the victims were transported to a nearby nursing home in a resident's car. However, the family alleged that the nursing home denied emergency treatment, citing inadequate facilities for grievous injuries. This led to critical delays of nearly half an hour, resulting in severe blood loss. They were later declared brought dead at another hospital.
The incident has raised concerns about public safety and medical response in urban areas, highlighting the devastating consequences of financial disputes escalating into violence.
