Delhi Man Allegedly Murders Family Over Gambling Debt Threats
In a tragic incident that has shocked the capital, a 42-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly murdering his wife and three young daughters in outer Delhi's Samaypur Badli area. The police investigation reveals that the horrific act was triggered by threats from a creditor over substantial gambling debts.
The Fatal Phone Call and Deadly Purchase
On February 23, Munchun Kewat received a phone call from Mithilesh, one of his lenders, demanding repayment of outstanding dues. During this conversation, which escalated into a heated exchange, Mithilesh allegedly threatened to "keep" Kewat's 30-year-old wife Anita and make her and her children work if the money was not returned.
Enraged by this threat, Kewat allegedly decided to kill his entire family and then himself. Within hours of that fateful call, he purchased a Rs 90 knife meant for cutting jackfruits from a local mandi. Police believe this was the weapon used in the subsequent murders.
Gambling Addiction and Mounting Financial Pressure
Kewat was a habitual gambler who wagered both online and offline on cricket matches and card games, suffering heavy losses that led to accumulating debt. Last month, he had borrowed Rs 2 lakh from his in-laws, repaying Rs 60,000 to Mithilesh and Rs 40,000 to a ginger supplier, but reportedly lost the remaining Rs 1 lakh in further betting.
Police stated that the family was under extreme financial pressure due to what they described as a "huge loan," which had led to frequent domestic disputes. The situation reached a breaking point with the threatening phone call from the creditor.
The Tragic Sequence of Events
After purchasing the knife on February 23, Kewat brought it home and hid it under a bag. According to police, he initially planned to carry out the act that same night but could not bring himself to do so.
The following day, he went to work as usual and returned home at 1 pm. He even observed his regular Tuesday fast. In the evening, he took the family for Holi shopping. However, around 11:30 pm, when Anita told her husband she had received another call from Mithilesh, an argument over finances broke out between the couple.
At approximately 4 am, when Anita reportedly questioned why he was still awake, Kewat allegedly slit her throat. Police said injury marks suggest a brief struggle might have occurred. The commotion woke up the eldest daughter, who began crying, after which he allegedly killed her and the two other girls, aged between three and five years.
Escape Attempt and Police Investigation
Kewat told police that after the murders, he tried to kill himself but could not. Instead, he fled toward Ajmer in Rajasthan, where he had previously worked. He boarded a train without a ticket and got down at Kishangarh, a station near Ajmer.
Meanwhile, Special CP (Law and Order) Ravindra had formed six teams to crack the case. "We took note of Kewat's earlier employment stints in Panapakkam in Tamil Nadu and Ajmer, and sent our teams to these places and other locations," said DCP (Outer North) Hareshwar Swami.
The investigation team analyzed footage from over 800 CCTV cameras and used facial recognition systems to track Kewat's movements over the next 72 hours. Once arrested in Kishangarh, police discovered he had attempted to contact a contractor he had previously worked with in Ajmer but was unsuccessful. During his escape, he slept inside mandi premises and survived on roadside meals.
Criminal History and Previous Behavior
Police revealed that Kewat was previously involved in a theft case at Adarsh Nagar and had been seen in social media posts brandishing weapons. This background information provided additional context for investigators working to understand the suspect's behavior patterns.
The case highlights the devastating consequences of gambling addiction and financial pressure on families, with authorities emphasizing the importance of addressing such issues before they escalate to tragic outcomes.
