A 36-year-old man was allegedly murdered by electrocution in a chilling incident in Delhi’s Dwarka area, with police now suspecting a premeditated act involving his wife and her lover—who is reportedly a relative of the victim.
The victim, identified as Karan Dev, was declared dead at Mata Rooprani Maggo Hospital in Uttam Nagar on July 13. Police were alerted via a PCR call from the hospital that same day. Initial reports pointed to electrocution as the cause of death, and the case was registered as a medico-legal case (MLC). However, the investigation has since taken a more sinister turn.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) Ankit Singh, Dev’s wife and her alleged partner—who is the son of Karan’s paternal uncle—are suspected of orchestrating the murder. Investigators believe Karan was first sedated with sleeping pills and then electrocuted to death at his home.
Shortly after the incident, Karan’s wife reportedly ran to her in-laws’ home, located nearby, and informed them that Karan had collapsed. Family members rushed him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. At first, the family did not raise any suspicions and even requested to forgo the post-mortem examination.
However, authorities insisted on conducting the autopsy, given the victim’s young age and the unclear nature of his injuries. The post-mortem was carried out at Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) Hospital to ensure a thorough evaluation.
The case took a dramatic turn on July 17, when Karan’s younger brother, Kunal Dev, approached the Dwarka police with new evidence. According to police sources, Kunal had accessed mobile phone chats between his sister-in-law and her partner, which allegedly contained discussions about plotting Karan’s murder.
This led to the registration of a criminal case under Section 103 (punishment for murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the new legal code that replaced the Indian Penal Code. Law enforcement officials are now intensifying their probe to collect further evidence and determine the precise sequence of events that led to the gruesome death.
The revelation that the wife’s alleged lover is also a relative of the deceased has added a further layer of betrayal and familial tension to the case. Investigators are exploring whether others may have been aware of or assisted in the conspiracy.
Meanwhile, police are awaiting the final autopsy and forensic reports, which will be critical in verifying the suspected use of sedatives and confirming electrocution as the cause of death. Both suspects are currently under surveillance, and arrests are expected to follow upon the completion of the preliminary investigation.
The case has shocked residents in the area, especially as it involves family members allegedly turning against one of their own. It also highlights the critical role of forensic medicine in uncovering hidden crimes, especially when families may initially attempt to avoid post-mortem procedures for emotional or cultural reasons.
As the investigation continues, Delhi Police have urged the public to come forward with any information that might assist in the case. Authorities have emphasized that they are committed to bringing the perpetrators to justice and ensuring the safety of citizens.
