In a chilling twist to the Lalru property dealer murder, police say the accused nephew, Sahil Malik, allegedly went on to kill another man near Panipat within hours of shooting his uncle. The bullet-riddled bodies of Rahul Malik and Ankush were found in bushes along a canal on Panipat’s outskirts, triggering a multi-state manhunt. Later in the day, Sahil was arrested by a joint team of Sonipat Police’s CIA unit and Murthal police station at the Bhigan toll plaza.
Sequence of Events
According to investigators, Sahil — a resident of Model Town in Panipat — allegedly shot his paternal uncle Rahul Malik (45) at his office near Gholu Majra in Lalru on the Ambala–Chandigarh highway around 7.45 pm on Wednesday following a dispute over money and property. He is said to have then forced the injured Malik into an SUV and fled towards Panipat. Police suspect Malik, who suffered gunshot wounds to the stomach and leg, may have been alive when he was taken away but later succumbed to excessive bleeding.
After reaching Panipat, Sahil allegedly called up his friend Ankush. He picked up Ankush from Sector 13/17 Chowk area. Haryana Police alleged that Sahil later shot Ankush while the vehicle was in motion. Following the second killing, he is said to have disposed of both bodies near the Sivah canal area in Panipat before attempting to flee towards Delhi.
Investigation Findings
Mohali police inspector Yogesh Kumar, heading the probe, said initial findings suggest Ankush was targeted for testifying against Sahil in a criminal case. “Prima facie, it appears Sahil killed Ankush in revenge. After shooting his uncle, he drove to Panipat, called Ankush there, and allegedly murdered him as well. He then abandoned both bodies near a canal and fled,” he said.
The incident began when Sahil allegedly entered Malik’s office on foot and confronted him. Witnesses told police he first fired in the air and ordered those present to leave before opening fire. Malik’s sister, who was inside, rushed out but found Sahil had already fled with the injured victim. A security guard was allegedly threatened with a revolver when he tried to intervene. One customer sustained minor splinter injuries.
Investigators also suspect the accused removed the CCTV DVR from the office to destroy evidence.
Ankush’s murder has been registered at Samalkha police station in Panipat. Mohali police are completing formalities to bring Malik’s body to Lalru for postmortem.
Swift Response
The case triggered an immediate response from law enforcement agencies in Haryana. Sonipat police commissioner Mamta Singh directed all field units to launch an intensive search operation. Teams from the CIA unit and Murthal police station worked on surveillance inputs to track the suspect’s movements.
After analysing the likely escape route, police established a special blockade at Bhigan Toll Plaza on the Delhi-bound corridor. The accused’s vehicle was intercepted and he was taken into custody before he could leave the state.
During preliminary interrogation, the accused reportedly revealed that after reaching Panipat, he picked up his friend Ankush from the Sector 13/17 Chowk area. Haryana Police alleged that Sahil later shot Ankush while the vehicle was in motion. Following the second killing, he is said to have disposed of both bodies near the Sivah canal area in Panipat before attempting to flee towards Delhi.
Timeline of the Incident
- Wednesday, 7.45 pm: Sahil allegedly confronts his uncle Rahul Malik at his office in Lalru.
- Moments later: An argument reportedly breaks out over a family dispute involving money and property. Sahil allegedly fires at Rahul, injuring him.
- After the shooting: Bleeding excessively, Rahul is forced into an SUV and taken away from the scene. The accused removes CCTV DVR before fleeing.
- Late Wednesday night: Sahil allegedly drives towards Panipat with Rahul in the vehicle.
- Near Panipat: Sahil allegedly contacts his friend Ankush and calls him to a location. Ankush is allegedly shot dead.
- After the second killing: Both bodies are dumped in bushes along a roadside near a canal.
- Thursday: Police recover the bodies of Rahul Malik and Ankush. Search teams are dispatched to Delhi and western Uttar Pradesh to trace Sahil.
What Initial Probe Suggests
- Malik’s killing linked to property and money dispute
- Ankush targeted for testifying against Sahil
- Weapon source and vehicle under probe
- CCTV DVR allegedly taken to erase evidence
- Multi-state manhunt underway
