New Delhi, Sept 25: The Delhi Police have arrested a 48-year-old man who was wanted in connection with a 1994 double-murder and robbery case involving two female religious figures at an ashram in east Delhi, officials said on Friday.The accused, identified as Lalit, was allegedly absconding for nearly 32 years.
Police traced him to a factory in Mangolpuri Phase-II, where he was working as a packaging labourer.Investigators verified his identity using his Aadhaar card before taking him into custody and informing the Shakarpur police station, where the original case was registered.According to police, two sadhvis at a spiritual ashram in Shakarpur were allegedly strangled to death in 1994.
The perpetrators subsequently allegedly took cash, jewellery and other valuables from the premises.Police have alleged that Lalit was among the main accused and participated in the killing of one of the victims. He also allegedly received a share of the valuables taken during the incident.Three other accused — Sunil Kumar, Dilip Ram and Sushil — had been arrested during the initial investigation, while Lalit remained at large. He was declared a proclaimed offender on October 26, 1995.
According to investigators, Lalit had initially come to Delhi as a domestic worker and came into contact with some of the other accused. After the incident, he stayed in Bihar and worked at different locations until around 2000.He later returned to Delhi and worked at various manufacturing units as a packaging labourer.
Police said he allegedly concealed details of his past and changed workplaces over the years.A native of Samastipur in Bihar, Lalit studied up to Class 8. Police said he married in May 2017 and has a wife and a five-year-old son.Further investigation is underway.
The allegations against Lalit are subject to investigation and judicial proceedings, and his arrest does not by itself establish guilt.
