Delhi gym owner murder: Why man stabbed son 15 times, prior to wedding

A gym owner was fatally murdered on Wednesday, 6 March, just hours before his wedding, turning what should have been a happy occasion into one of mourning in South Delhi.

Gaurav Singhal, 29, was allegedly killed by his father Rangalal with a sharp-edged weapon at his residence, said the police on Friday.

According to the police, Rangalal killed his son because he used to insult him every day, which made him angry.

Here’s a look at what happened.

The gruesome murder

Fit Box gym owner Gaurav was stabbed 15 times in the face and chest on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday in his Devli Extension residence in south Delhi, close to Raju Park, according to NDTV.

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He passed away right there.

The murder had taken place hours before he was about to tie the knot on Thursday. Loud music was playing as guests awaited the start of his wedding procession. But the groom wasn’t present for the celebration.

The merriment was short-lived as the guests found the body in a pool of blood in the park following a frantic search during the early hours of Thursday.

“The search for Gaurav began between 9 pm and 10 pm. The lights in the other building, where his body was found, had been switched off. It was a newly-built, vacant building where no one lived,” The Times of India quoted a relative as saying.

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Deputy Commissioner of Police (south) Ankit Chauhan said police received a call about the incident around 12.30 am. When the police arrived, they discovered that Gaurav had been stabbed with a knife and that his family had taken him to Max Hospital.

Police discovered blood inside the home during their search, and it seemed like Gaurav’s body had been dragged after he was stabbed to death in an attempt to conceal it.

According to the newspaper, in addition, multiple shoe prints of varying sizes were found in and around the room, which made the police believe that multiple people were involved in the murder.

The officer stated, “We have shifted his body to the AIIMS mortuary for the post-mortem,” and added that the case had been filed.

The arrest

Shortly after the killing, his father disappeared. Ankit Chauhan, a senior police official, stated that Gaurav’s father, Rangalal, fled from the residence with cash and jewels valued at Rs 15 lakh and Rs 50 lakh.

He was apprehended in Jaipur following a manhunt.

The victim’s relatives were taken aback by the arrest because they had previously ruled out any suspicion of foul play on their part.

“During the probe, it came to light that the father and son did not have a cordial relationship. The accused has also told the Police that he has no regrets and he should have done it earlier. Further probe underway,” ANI quoted Delhi Police as saying.

Forced marriage angle 

According to the police, Gaurav’s marriage was an arranged one and was set to take place on Thursday.

But it’s believed that the victim intended to marry someone else and only agreed to marriage because his family pressured him to, according to India Today.

Gaurav and his father argued about this matter on multiple occasions.

The police believe that after an argument between Gaurav and Rangalal, Gaurav slapped his father, the report claimed.

Furious, Rangalal and his three accomplices murdered Gaurav and took the money and jewellery before running from the house.

The exact reason for the murder is yet unknown. Meanwhile, deceased Gaurav’s younger brother and a relative have been detained for questioning, the police said according to News18, adding that , investigators are looking into all angles.

With inputs from agencies