Delhi triple murder horror: 20-year-old held for stabbing parents, sister

In a gruesome murder case that has shocked the capital, a 20-year-old Delhi University student, and an aspiring boxer Arjun Tanwar was held on Dec 5 for the alleged murder of his father, a retired Army officer, his mother, and sister at their home in Neb Sarai area, a day before, police said.

The shocking murders committed on his parent’s wedding anniversary on Dec 4 morning — were allegedly driven by a deep-rooted grudge over property disputes and familial resentment.

According to Delhi police, Tanwar carefully planned the heinous crime and even attempted to mislead authorities by feigning innocence.

The investigators were quoted as saying Tanwar believed his father, Rajesh Kumar (51) was planning to transfer their family property to his sister Kavita (23).

Also, his father’s disapproval of his boxing ambitions and repeated public humiliation ignited his fury.

“He told us he opted for slitting their throats as he knew it would prevent them from screaming. He was so enraged with his father that he stabbed him in the head,” a police officer was quoted as saying.

Inconsistencies in accused’s versions: Police

Tanwar followed his regular routine and went out on an early morning run at 5.30 am to stage a facade of normalcy.

Upon returning, he rushed to his gym and informed the owner that his parents had been murdered. In a bid to avert suspicion, he then alerted neighbors and relatives.

However, investigators uncovered inconsistencies in his account. "When we questioned Arjun, he started giving different answers and there were multiple contradictions," Sanjay Kumar Jain, joint commissioner of police (South) was quoted as saying.

Throats slit, stab wounds

Rajesh’s body was discovered upstairs, while his wife Komal (46) and daughter Kavita were found in separate rooms on the ground floor.

The victims bore horrifying injuries—throats slit, stab wounds. The accused had placed clothing around their necks apparently in an attempt to stem the flow of blood.

Tanwar reportedly began his killing spree with his sister, who tried to fight back as evidenced by the injuries on her body.

He then moved to his father attacking him while he was asleep. Finally, he attacked his mother when she was returning from the bathroom.

Tanwar used his father’s Army knife to execute the murders — a weapon chosen for its lethal precision.

An aspiring but disgruntled boxer

A political science student and a trained boxer, Tanwar who had won a silver medal representing Delhi, harbored a profound grudge against his family.

He resented and hated his father for supporting his sister, who was pursuing a master’s degree, and for frequently reprimanding him about his studies and routine.

“Arjun felt neglected and isolated,” a police official was quoted as saying. “He also suspected his father planned to hand over their property to his sister,” he added.

Rajesh’s treatment of Tanwar, including physical reprimands in public, further fuelled his rage. Sources were quoted as saying that tensions escalated during his sister’s birthday on Dec 1, when Rajesh allegedly assaulted him again.

Meanwhile, police are now examining Tanwar’s digital devices to determine if he sought inspiration online to execute the gruesome murders.

The case cracked by a team led by Assistant Commissioner Police Abhinendra Jain exposes the chilling depths of resentment and anger that culminated in a tragedy tearing apart an unsuspecting family.