An elderly couple and their domestic worker have been killed after a plumber allegedly attacked them with a screwdriver following a dispute over payment. The incident took place at the couple's home in Vishnulok Colony in the Raipur area of Dehradun, India, on Tuesday afternoon.
Ramesh Chawla, 80, his wife Rajni Chawla, 75, and their domestic worker Sheila, 48, were found seriously injured inside the property. Police rushed all three to a private hospital with the help of local residents, but doctors declared them dead.
Suspect arrested after attack
Officers arrested a plumber, named by police as Rajkumar, who had reportedly carried out work at the couple's home for around two years. Police said the couple had called him to the property to carry out more plumbing work. Investigators believe an argument then broke out over payment after the job had been completed.
The plumber allegedly attacked the elderly couple with a screwdriver before turning on Sheila when she intervened. Police were alerted at around 3.10pm, with local residents having detained the suspect by the time officers arrived.
CCTV and evidence examined
Investigators have since been examining CCTV footage from the property and surrounding area as they try to establish exactly what happened. Pramendra Dobhal, Senior Superintendent of Police in Dehradun, said: "A review of CCTV footage from the crime scene and the surrounding area shows the accused approached the elderly couple's house alone around 1pm.
"In initial interrogation, it has been found that the incident took place due to a dispute over payment. The accused initially went and then he came back with the intention of either killing them or carrying out a robbery. We have recovered a gold chain from the accused and also a screwdriver, which was used in the incident."
Murder case registered
Forensic and field teams were also sent to the property to gather evidence. Police said a gold chain was recovered from the suspect, while the screwdriver believed to have been used in the killings was also seized.
A murder case has now been registered at Raipur Police Station following a formal complaint from Rajni's family, and the suspect has been formally arrested.
