22-year-old robs, kills elderly man to meet girlfriend's demands

A youth has been arrested for killing an elderly man after robbing him at his house in Shakurpur to fulfil his girlfriend’s needs and repay his loan, police said on Wednesday.

Om Parkash Yadav, 22, who hails from Bihar’s Madhubani district, was held after Surat Lal Sahu, 62, was found dead in his bed on December 8.

“We have recovered Rs 15,000 in cash, Surat’s stolen mobile phone, and a phone purchased from the robbed money. Om was unemployed and had borrowed money from some known persons to spend on his girlfriend,” said P Karunakaran, deputy commissioner of police (north-west).

Surat’s son Mahadev had told police that his father was not picking his mobile phone since December 6. “Hence on suspicion, Mahadev came to the house and found it locked from outside. When he broke open the lock, Surat was found dead,” Karunakaran added.

It was then found that entry into the house was friendly due to which Surat’s family members, relatives and neighbors were also interrogated. As per clues from technical surveillance, a team was sent to Bihar and raids were conducted at various places. It was also found that Surat’s mobile phone number was operating in and around Delhi.

“On a secret information, Om was apprehended on Lawrence Road,” Karunakaran said.
Om told police that he killed Surat with an intention to rob him. He knew that Surat used to transfer money of labourers working in Delhi to their native places in Bihar on commission basis. On December 8, he visited Surat’s house and noticed that Surat was in possession of Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000. “Om wanted money to fulfill the needs of his girlfriend and to repay his loan. He tried to snatch the money, but Surat started shouting and then  Om strangled him,” Karunakaran added.

He fled with the looted money and Surat’s mobile phone, and purchased a mobile phone before leaving Delhi.

Om further disclosed that he kept robbed articles at his girlfriend’s brother-in-law’s house in Bihar’s Chhapra district.