Man held for killing four members of a family three years ago

A 26-year-old man was arrested for allegedly killing four members of a family over a monetary dispute three years ago at Northeast Delhi's Wazirabad area, police said Thursday.

The accused was identified as Abhishek Pal alias Mintu, a resident of Wazirabad village, Delhi, they added.

In July 2016, the body of Naina, a school teacher in Wazirabad, was recovered from a canal in Hapur by Uttar Pradesh Police. Her car was also found abandoned near the canal, A K Singla, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) said.

During investigations by UP Police, the family members of the deceased her father, mother and her brother -- were also found missing and they could not be traced. It was then suspected to be a case of honour killing, the officer said.

Later, the Delhi Police Crime Branch received information that the main accused in Naina's case would come at Outer Ring Road, near Sanjay Akhada to meet his associates. Later, a trap was laid and the accused was successfully apprehended, the officer added.

During interrogation, Pal, a small-time contractor, disclosed that he was well acquainted with Ved Prakash, Naina's father, and his family, the officer said.

Pal's close friend Ritesh Katiyar was an employee of Prakash at his garment shop at a Monastery, Majnu Ka Tila. Later, Prakash transferred his business to Ritesh and gave his shop to him on rent, the senior officer said.

Due to financial crisis, Ritesh took a loan from Prakash through Pal as a guarantor, in August-2015. As Ritesh could not pay back the loan, a dispute had arisen between them and Prakash was regularly pressurising Pal and Ritesh for his payments, the officer added.

Pal was upset and shared his problems with his friend Sonu, the nephew of Prakash. Sonu had previous enmity with his uncle and wanted to grab his business and property. He instigated Pal to eliminate Prakash and lured him for a share in his property and business, Singla said