NEW DELHI: A multi-crore ancestral property in West Bengal allegedly became the motive behind the murder of Delhi University assistant professor Debosmita Paul, police said on Sunday, after arresting a couple from Bardhaman and apprehending their minor son for the brutal killing in east Delhi's Vasundhara Enclave. The child was brought so they could blend in.
Property Dispute as Motive
According to investigators, the family had been residing since 2023 in an ancestral property in Bardhaman that had fallen to Paul's share through a family settlement. The couple allegedly wanted to purchase the property and had repeatedly approached her with offers. They claimed that while Paul's siblings were keen on the sale, the 49-year-old professor remained firmly opposed and repeatedly asked the tenants to vacate.
She refused to part with her maternal grandfather's legacy and became the primary obstacle in their plans to acquire the property. They allegedly harbored deep resentment, an officer said. Police are verifying the claims.
Planning and Execution of the Crime
Police said the dispute escalated after Paul issued a final warning asking the family to vacate the disputed property. Investigators believe the couple then conspired to eliminate her and began planning the crime. As part of the alleged conspiracy, the suspects traveled from Bardhaman to Delhi along with their minor child in an apparent attempt to blend in as an ordinary family. They reached Delhi on June 3 and checked into a guest house in Dallupura.
During verification of guest records, investigators found that the couple had used Aadhaar cards belonging to unrelated individuals — identified as residents from Bihar and West Bengal — to conceal their identities. Police said the suspects took several measures to evade detection. They allegedly changed clothes multiple times, used both staircases and lifts while moving through the residential complex, and frequently switched between taxis and autorickshaws to make surveillance tracking difficult.
On Wednesday afternoon, the couple allegedly arrived at Paul's apartment complex in Vasundhara Enclave. CCTV footage captured the masked duo entering the building carrying bags and making their way to the sixth-floor flat. The society's security guards did not take down the details of the suspects when they entered the complex.
The Murder
During interrogation, investigators learned that the professor welcomed the couple inside and even offered them water. During the ensuing conversation, Paul once again asked them to vacate the property in Bardhaman, triggering a confrontation. According to police, the husband allegedly attacked the professor with a steel mortar, causing severe head injuries. As she attempted to resist, he allegedly restrained her while his wife used a sharp-edged weapon to slash her hand. Police said the murder took place between 4 pm and 4:30 pm, and the child was present in the room where the crime happened.
The husband claimed that he had brought the weapon from his hometown, while the woman stated that it was picked up from inside the house. We are verifying both versions, a senior police officer said.
Post-Murder Actions and Investigation
Investigators said the suspects remained inside the flat for nearly 30 minutes after the murder. During this period, they allegedly changed clothes, attempted to remove traces of evidence, and then fled the scene. The crime came to light on Thursday afternoon when Paul's sister alerted police around 2:30 pm after finding her dead inside the apartment.
Following the incident, Special CP (law and order) Devesh Chandra Srivastava formed multiple teams under the supervision of DCP (East) Rajeev Kumar to investigate the case. Joint CP (Eastern Range) Ajit Kumar Singla said investigators carried out extensive CCTV analysis and technical surveillance to reconstruct the suspects' movements. The mobile numbers linked to the Aadhaar credentials used at the guest house were placed under electronic surveillance, helping investigators piece together the couple's trail.
As the probe progressed, Delhi Police launched a multi-state manhunt. On June 6, a police team flew to West Bengal and continued tracking the suspects through CCTV footage and technical evidence. The suspects were traced from Bardhaman railway station after deboarding the Poorva Express and eventually located at their hideout.
Arrests and Evidence
On June 7, the couple, aged 42 and 36, and their 13-year-old minor son were apprehended and produced before the concerned court for transit remand. They are being brought to Delhi for further investigation. Police said the man operated a sanitary goods shop in Bardhaman while his wife was a homemaker. Investigators also found that the family had been residing in the disputed property since 2023 and was paying a monthly rent of Rs 11,000.
During the investigation, police recovered several key pieces of evidence, including the deceased professor's mobile phone, a razor allegedly used to slash her wrist, a backpack linked to the suspects, and the clothes and cap purportedly worn during the crime. Investigators also seized onward and return train tickets, along with other travel-related documents, which they believe will help corroborate the movements of the suspects before and after the murder.
A case under Section 103 (1) (murder) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has been registered at New Ashok Nagar police station.
