According to investigators, the accused family had been living since 2023 in an ancestral property in Bardhaman that had fallen to Paul's share through a family settlement. Police allege that the couple repeatedly attempted to purchase the property, claiming that Paul's siblings were willing to sell. However, the 49-year-old professor remained firmly opposed to the sale and had repeatedly asked the tenants to vacate the premises.
"She refused to part with her maternal grandfather's legacy and became the primary obstacle in their plans to acquire the property. They allegedly harboured deep resentment," a police officer said, adding that the claims are still being verified.
Final Eviction Warning Triggered Alleged Conspiracy
Investigators believe tensions escalated after Paul issued a final warning asking the family to vacate the disputed property. Police suspect that the couple subsequently conspired to eliminate her and began planning the murder.
As part of the alleged plot, the couple travelled from Bardhaman to Delhi on June 3 along with their 13-year-old son, allegedly to appear as a normal family and avoid suspicion. They checked into a guest house in Dallupura, East Delhi.
During verification of guest records, police discovered that the couple had used Aadhaar cards belonging to unrelated individuals from Bihar and West Bengal in an apparent attempt to conceal their identities.
Elaborate Measures Taken to Avoid Detection
Police said the suspects took several precautions to evade detection. They allegedly changed clothes multiple times, alternated between staircases and elevators within residential buildings, and frequently switched between taxis and autorickshaws to complicate surveillance efforts.
On Wednesday afternoon, CCTV footage captured the masked couple entering Paul's apartment complex in Vasundhara Enclave carrying bags. They proceeded to her sixth-floor flat. Investigators noted that security personnel at the housing society failed to record the visitors' details upon entry.
Murder Inside the Apartment
According to police, Paul welcomed the couple into her home and even offered them water. During their conversation, she once again asked them to vacate the Bardhaman property, leading to an argument.
Investigators allege that the husband then attacked Paul with a steel mortar, inflicting severe head injuries. As she attempted to defend herself, he allegedly restrained her while his wife used a sharp-edged weapon to slash her hand.
Police said the murder occurred between 4 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., with the couple's minor son reportedly present in the room during the attack.
Authorities are also investigating conflicting statements regarding the murder weapon. The husband claimed he brought it from West Bengal, while the wife stated it was picked up from inside the victim's residence.
Suspects Remained at Scene After Killing
Investigators said the suspects stayed inside the apartment for nearly 30 minutes after the murder. During that time, they allegedly changed clothes, attempted to remove evidence, and then fled the scene.
The crime came to light on Thursday afternoon when Paul's sister visited the apartment and found her dead. She alerted police at approximately 2:30 p.m.
Multi-State Investigation Led to Arrests
Following the discovery, Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Devesh Chandra Srivastava constituted multiple investigative teams under the supervision of East Delhi DCP Rajeev Kumar.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Eastern Range) Ajit Kumar Singla said investigators conducted extensive CCTV analysis and technical surveillance to reconstruct the suspects' movements. Mobile phone numbers linked to the Aadhaar credentials used at the guest house were placed under electronic surveillance, helping police trace the accused.
On June 6, Delhi Police teams travelled to West Bengal and continued tracking the suspects using CCTV footage and technical evidence. The family was eventually traced after deboarding the Poorva Express at Bardhaman railway station and located at their hideout.
On June 7, the 42-year-old man, his 36-year-old wife, and their 13-year-old son were apprehended and produced before a local court for transit remand. They are currently being brought to Delhi for further investigation.
Key Evidence Recovered
During the investigation, police recovered several crucial pieces of evidence, including Paul's mobile phone, a razor allegedly used in the attack, a backpack linked to the suspects, and the clothes and cap purportedly worn during the crime.
Investigators also seized train tickets and other travel-related documents that they believe will help establish the suspects' movements before and after the murder.
Police revealed that the accused man operated a sanitary goods shop in Bardhaman, while his wife was a homemaker. The family had reportedly been residing in the disputed property since 2023 and paid a monthly rent of ₹11,000.
A case has been registered under Section 103(1) (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at New Ashok Nagar Police Station. Further investigation is underway.
