Man held for murdering landlord’s children

Suraj (8) and Gopal (6),both children of Ashok’s landlord Raja Ram,were found unconscious in the tenant’s room on August 29,police said. They were taken to BJRM Hospital,where they were declared dead on arrival.

“During investigations,Ram’s wife Phool Kumari told police that on the day of the crime,she had gone looking for her children and found Ashok locking his room and leaving in a hurry. When she asked him about her children’s whereabouts,he said that he had seen them playing on the street. Her daughter,however,noticed the children lying under Ashok’s bed,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northwest) Meenu Choudhary.

When questioned,Ashok allegedly confessed to have murdered the children. He also said that he was unable to work as a labourer because he was addicted to alcohol.

“On August 29,he asked his landlord to give him Rs 500. But the latter refused and asked him to vacate his room,leading to a heated argument. Ashok then threatened his landlord with dire consequences,” said Choudhary.

“Though he had initially planned only to murder Suraj,he ended up killing Gopal also when he came to Ashok’s room in search of his brother,” a police officer said.