Man who worked as domestic help in building held for bizman’s murder in Panchsheel Park

Abhay Sikarwar (25), who hails from Madhya Pradesh, was arrested from West Delhi’s Moti Nagar where he was working as a cook. He allegedly stabbed the victim, 64-year-old Rohit Kumar Alagh, around 25-30 times on his face, chest, neck and abdomen. The businessman was found dead in a pool of blood on the floor of his bedroom Monday morning by his youngest son.

“The accused was well aware of the topography of the house as he had earlier worked as a servant/helper on the third floor of the same property four years ago. He thought that the deceased was living alone. He entered the house for theft as he was in acute need of money to pay a loan and take a flat on rent for his girlfriend in order to start a new life with her,” said Ankit Chauhan, DCP, South.  Police said the accused also faced losses during Covid and could not find work.

Officials privy to the investigation said the accused allegedly planned the murder a few days ago. He allegedly slashed the kitchen net to break into the house late at night and began stealing things when the deceased woke up. A scuffle ensued between the two during which Sikarwar allegedly stabbed Alagh multiple times.

He then allegedly fled in a hurry since it was dawn. While fleeing, the accused stole a digital video recorder (DVR), which he later threw in a drain near Hauz Khas. Police have recovered the DVR.

Police said the accused was well-versed with the structure of the house, including its entry and exit points, as well as the location of the DVR.

Police analysed footage from around 500 CCTV cameras and traced him taking a bus Thursday. The camera visuals from the bus, which was headed towards Moti Nagar, also confirmed the presence of the accused. Eventually, he was taken into custody from Moti Nagar.

Police had recovered blood-soaked footprints on the floor that did not match with anyone who resided at the residence.

On Monday, the incident came to light when the car cleaner came for the keys but the victim failed to open the door. Soon, the younger son, who was in the next room, opened the door to give the keys to the cleaner, he noticed his father was lying on the floor.

Alagh stayed at a three-storey house in Panchsheel Park’s S block. His elder son, a chef and the owner of a well-known eatery in Hauz Khas, lives on the third floor with his family. While Alagh used to stay on the ground floor with his younger son, a freelance musician, the first floor is occupied by tenants. The second floor of the house is locked.

As per the sequence of events established by the police so far, Alagh returned home from a local Panchsheel Club around 12 am. Around 12.40 am, one of his sons ordered a pizza. Later, Alagh retired to his room to sleep.