What initially appeared to be a near-flawless crime—meticulously planned, carefully executed, and seemingly devoid of evidence—was ultimately cracked by sustained police work, sharp suspicion, and old-fashioned investigative persistence. Delhi Police have arrested a former caretaker for the brutal murder of an elderly couple in east Delhi’s Shahdara, ending a nearly 500-kilometre chase that culminated in Rajasthan.

The double murder, which took place on the intervening night of January 3 and 4, sent shockwaves through the neighbourhood and posed a formidable challenge to investigators. With no clear forensic evidence, no identifiable face on CCTV cameras, and no immediate suspects, the case was initially described by police as a “perfect” murder.

The Crime Comes to Light

The case came to public attention around 12.30 am on January 4, when a distress call was received by the Police Control Room (PCR). The caller reported that his parents were lying unconscious in their Shahdara residence and appeared to be dead. A police team rushed to the spot, where a grim scene awaited them.

Parvesh Bansal (65) was found lying unconscious on a bed in a room near the outer gate of the house. In another room, her husband, Virendra Kumar Bansal (71), was found on a bed with blood oozing from his mouth and nose. He had visible bruises around both eyes and a wound on his head that resembled a nail mark.

Both victims were rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared them brought dead. Given the seriousness of the crime—a double murder of elderly citizens inside their own home—senior police officers immediately stepped in. Multiple investigation teams were formed to work on parallel leads.

A Crime Scene With No Clues

From the outset, investigators realised they were dealing with a carefully planned crime. There were no signs of forced entry, no obvious struggle, and no clear forensic trail. According to police, the suspect had taken extraordinary precautions to avoid detection.

The assailant had fully covered his body, worn gloves, and ensured that no fingerprints, DNA, or other forensic traces were left behind. CCTV footage from the building and surrounding areas showed a person entering and exiting the premises, but always through blind spots not covered by cameras. At no point was the suspect’s face clearly visible.

“There was no direct evidence—no face on CCTV, no fingerprints, no phone location,” a senior officer involved in the investigation said. “At first glance, it looked like a crime designed to leave investigators with nothing.”

Casting a Wide Net

With little to go on, police began an exhaustive process of elimination. Teams scanned footage from dozens of CCTV cameras in and around the area, tracing movement patterns and timelines. Neighbours, relatives, domestic workers, and anyone who had regular contact with the couple were questioned in detail.

Investigators also turned to technical analysis. Call detail records of more than 50 mobile numbers linked to the victims, their family members, and people in their social circle were examined. Area-dump data—records of all mobile phones active near the crime scene during the relevant time window—was analysed to identify any suspicious devices.

In parallel, police scrutinised records of over 300 known criminals with a history of similar offences, including burglaries and violent robberies targeting elderly people. Yet, none of these leads produced a breakthrough.

Focus on Former Caretakers

As the investigation progressed, attention shifted to the personal circumstances of the victims. Police learnt that the elderly couple had been unwell and had employed caretakers in the past. This prompted investigators to look closely at individuals who had access to the house and were familiar with the couple’s routines.

One former caretaker, who had worked for the couple for about two months, was questioned at length. However, police found no incriminating evidence against him and eventually ruled him out.

Suspicion then turned to another former caretaker—Ashok Kumar Sen (32), a resident of Nangloi in west Delhi. When police attempted to contact him, his wife claimed that he had gone on a pilgrimage to the Khatu Shyam temple in Rajasthan and had left his mobile phone behind.

Investigators found this explanation unconvincing. “The timing and circumstances raised doubts,” said Joint Commissioner of Police (Central) Madhur Verma. “A sudden pilgrimage without a phone, right after a double murder, did not add up.”

The Breakthrough

A team was dispatched to Sen’s residence in Nangloi, where police obtained his photograph. This image was then compared with the CCTV footage of the unidentified person seen entering and leaving the crime scene. While the footage did not show a clear face, investigators noticed similarities in physical build, height, and movement patterns.

Further inquiry revealed a crucial detail: Sen had recently contacted his wife using a relative’s mobile phone. That phone was traced to Sikar district in Rajasthan.

With this lead, a joint team of Delhi Police officers was immediately sent to Tapiplya village in Sikar. After a coordinated search, Sen was located and arrested on Tuesday, bringing an end to the interstate chase.

Confession and Recovery

During sustained interrogation, Sen allegedly confessed to the murders. Police said that at his instance, they recovered the gold jewellery looted from the victims’ home. The recovered items included a gold chain, a mangalsutra, two bangles, a ring, and a chain locket.

According to police, Sen had planned the crime in detail. He had shifted his residence a few days before the incident to avoid drawing suspicion and had carefully studied the layout of the building to identify CCTV blind spots. On the night of the crime, he deliberately left his mobile phone at home to ensure that no digital trail could link him to the scene.

Investigators also believe that Sen knew the couple’s son was not always present at home. Taking advantage of his absence, he allegedly entered the house, committed the murders, stole the jewellery, and fled.

What Lies Ahead

Police said Sen later took refuge at the house of his wife’s relative in Rajasthan, believing he had successfully evaded law enforcement. However, his effort to erase all traces ultimately failed due to meticulous follow-up and human intelligence.

Further investigation is underway to reconstruct the exact sequence of events and determine whether Sen had any accomplices or received assistance before or after the crime. Police are also examining whether he was involved in any similar offences in the past.

The case underscores the challenges modern policing faces when dealing with crimes designed to defeat technology and forensics. At the same time, it highlights how patient investigation, behavioural analysis, and attention to small inconsistencies can unravel even the most carefully planned crimes.