Man murders wife, in-laws over dowry; shoots self later

A 28-year-old businessman shot himself dead after killing his wife, brother in-law and father-in-law on Wednesday afternoon after a family row in Alipur, on the outskirts of Delhi. 

The police said the incident occurred at around 1:15 pm in Tawarpur Village, where an infuriated Sonu Chauhan (28), the accused, a resident of Barula village of Sector-49 at Noida, first opened fire on his wife, Poonam and then his brother-in-law, Tarun. Police said Sonu barged into his in-laws’ house with a locally made pistol and first shot dead his 23-year-old wife. He then targeted his father-in-law, Bhopal Singh (55) and then shot himself. The brother-in-law of the accused, Tarun was about to get married on Thursday. Tarun worked as a farmer and run his own transport business. The house was full with relatives and family members who were happy, preparing for marriage when the incident happened. Sonu had an animosity with his in-laws over dowry demands for the past couple of months and he did not want Poonam to attend her brother’s marriage. The couple also indulged in verbal spat over the dowry issue for a few days. Sonu was infuriated after Tarun took Poonam to Alipur from Noida on Tuesday evening in his absence so that she could attend his marriage. 

Poonam’s family alleged that Sonu and her in-laws used to harrass and torture her over dowry.

The police have recovered 8-10 bullet shells, a country-made weapon, one sophisticated pistol and a knife, along with two magazines from the spot. The police are investigating whether the pistol was licensed or not. No suicide note was recovered from Sonu’s possession.

The police said that prima-facie, it seems that it was a pre-planned crime and Sonu had made a conspiracy to eliminate his wife and in-laws before barging into the house in Tawarpur village at Alipur. The police said Sonu worked as a mineral water supplier in the same area, and got married to Poonam in 2010 and had a three-year-old son. 

Sonu, who was in a Santro car, called Tarun and Poonam over phone to Palla road, nearly half kilometres away from their house saying that he was carrying new clothes for Poonam and wanted to give it to her for the marriage.  ‘When Tarun and Poonam reached the said spot in a Honda Esteem car, Sonu opened fire on Poonam and Tarun. After killing them, he went to his in-laws house. Barging into the house where ladies Sangeet was taking place, he shot two bullets on Bhopal Singh,’ said a senior police official. He then called out his mother in-law, Rajjo Devi (50) but could not find her. He then shot himself on the right temple. ‘They were rushed to Satyawadi Raja Harish Chandra Hospital and Max Hospital, but succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds,’ said Mohammand Akhtar Rizvi, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer).

Poonam’s elder brother, Tajindra, alias Babloo, told the police that Sonu owned a car, but recently demanded that he be gifted an SUV. Sonu allegedly claimed that his family had expanded after the birth of his son and that an SUV?was essential.

A case of murder under Indian Penal Code and Arms Act has been registered with Alipur police station.