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Delhi flyover deaths: Self-styled godman arrested, fed three victims ‘poisoned’ laddus
Even as preliminary probe suggested possibility of a suicide pact, police probed the murder angle after families rejected claims of suicide.
Police personnel investigation at the site where 3 dead bodies found inside a car at the Peeragarhi flyover, in New Delhi on Sunday. (ANI Video Grab)
A self-styled godman was arrested in connection with the murders of two men and a woman, who were found dead in a car on Outer Delhi’s Peeragarhi flyover on Sunday.
Police said he was in the car with the trio, allegedly fed them some “poisoned” laddus and fled with Rs 2 lakh.
Police had flagged his alleged criminal antecedents, links to earlier unexplained deaths and his role in bringing the three together on the day they died by reportedly promising them quick money with the help of occult practices and tantrik rituals.
According to a senior police officer, the self-styled godman had met Randhir Singh (76), Shiv Naresh Singh (47), and Laxmi Devi (40) before their bodies were discovered on Sunday. He sat on the front seat of the car that belonged to Randhir, police said, citing CCTV camera footage.
Police said the godman has earlier been named in several cases, but has repeatedly managed to evade legal action due to lack of evidence.
Investigators also pointed out that some of his former clients had died under suspicious circumstances or had gone missing. “He lured people by making promises of quick money, claiming that he could multiply wealth through occult practices and tantrik rituals. He projected himself as someone who could double or even triple money through tantrik methods,” an officer said.
When police discovered bodies, Randhir was found dead in the driver’s seat while Shiv and Laxmi were found motionless in the rear seats. While Randhir and Shiv, both property dealers hailing from Najafgarh’s Baprola village, knew each other, their relatives claimed they had never heard of Laxmi.
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Police also found disposable glasses in the car, containing traces of soda mixed with what officers described as “very strong” poison. There were no immediate signs of external injuries on the bodies.
Even as preliminary probe suggested possibility of a suicide pact, police probed the murder angle after families rejected claims of suicide.
Police said Laxmi and her family knew the godman from before, and she probably introduced him to the two men. It is being suspected that the trio knew him for a year, the officer said.
Further, police said, the godman lives a relatively ordinary life with his family. “He does not wear any distinctive religious attire and blends in easily,” the officer said.
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Further investigation is underway to establish the sequence of events and the role of each person involved, police added.
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