Delhi-based builder kills wife in her sleep with axe, attacks children

As per police sources, the incident took place around 5-6 am and a PCR call was made around 6.24 am by the children. Vijay’s wife, Suman, was asleep when he allegedly attacked her. He then went to the next room and allegedly attacked his children, Devika (30) and Shashank (28).

DCP (South) Chandan Chowdhary said, “We received a call from a woman that her mother had been attacked with an axe by her father. Police staff reached spot and found the mother on the bed in a pool of blood… with multiple injuries on the neck. Further, the caller also had an injury on her neck and her brother had two injuries to the neck and forehead. They said their father, Vijay, had attacked them.”

“Vijay was also found at the spot — he had slit his wrist. The children managed to lock themselves inside their room and called police. The family was shifted to a hospital where Suman was declared dead on arrival. We have registered a case of murder and attempted murder. Further investigation is on,” added the DCP.

During enquiry, police found that Suman and Vijay got married in 1992 and the family hails from Garh Mukteshwar, UP. The accused would allegedly harass his wife for not giving dowry or gifts during the wedding, said police.

His family told police he was not on good terms with his wife and children and didn’t pay attention to them. When Suman objected to this, he allegedly beat her up.

Police said he had attacked his family during a fight in 2017 too and was arrested in an attempted murder case against his son. “The children supported the mother… this led to Vijay having a grudge against them. In 2017, when his wife objected to his habits, they fought. He fired at his family to eliminate them. In that incident, Shashank received gunshot injuries. The accused was arrested and sent to jail but they later settled the matter,” said the DCP.

An FIR in that case stated that Vijay slapped Devika and went on to assault the children’s grandmother. When Shashank came to her aid, he allegedly fired at him. Police said after his release, he allegedly harassed his family again.

Meanwhile, locals said the family has been living in the area for 10-12 years and they didn’t know about the fights. Jai, a neighbour, said they kept to themselves. OP Sharma, RWA general secretary, said, “We didn’t hear anything because ACs and coolers were running at most homes. We only saw police coming in and taking them out. There was a lot of blood. We never saw Vijay or his family members misbehaving or fighting.”

Police said Devika is a law graduate and was studying for exams.