The killing of three members of a family by a close relative in Oak Forest area of Chicago in the US is being mourned by a family in this Haryana town.

Rajesh Kumar Arora (30), his wife Monika Rani (22), and their son Vansh (3), died after Monika's father Subhash Chander, 57, set their apartment on fire Dec 31. Monika was five months pregnant.

“We were informed by Chicago police that the bodies were all charred beyond recognition.

They have asked us to send identification marks so that their bodies or ashes can be sent back to India,” a sobbing Om Prakash, the father of Rajesh, said.

Chander was arrested by the police and charged with first-degree murder.

He told police investigators that he was upset that his daughter had married a man from a lower caste against his wishes. But Rajesh Kumar's family in Ambala disagrees with Chander's claim that he carried out the gruesome act because of the caste issue.

Need help

“He is an alcoholic and used to fight with people and abuse them. He was nothing less than an extortionist. He used to force Rajesh and his wife to give him money. He should be given death penalty for killing three innocent people.We do not even have the means to go to the US to get their bodies. We need help,” Om Prakash said.