NEW DELHI: A 53-year-old Delhi man allegedly murdered his wife over a long-running property dispute and tried to mislead investigators using a crime strategy he claimed to have learnt from the Hollywood series ‘The Staircase’.His plan, however, unravelled after police tracked him through CCTV footage and technical surveillance.The accused, Kamal Singh, was arrested near Mathura Railway Station following a multi-state manhunt by Shahdara police. During interrogation, he told investigators that he believed concealing the real murder weapon and planting another at the crime scene would help him evade arrest.The murder came to light on the night of July 30 when the couple’s son returned to their Gagan Vihar home in Shahdara and found his mother, Komal Singh (50), lying in a pool of blood.According to police, a blood-stained pair of scissors had been placed in the victim’s hand to make it appear that she had taken her own life.“The victim’s son immediately suspected foul play and alleged that his father had murdered his mother,” a senior police officer said.During the investigation, police recovered a sword that they believe was the actual murder weapon. The accused had allegedly hidden it in a bag and attempted to dispose of it to destroy evidence.CCTV footage proved crucial in cracking the case. Investigators found that after the couple’s two children left home that morning, only Kamal and his wife remained inside the house. The footage also allegedly captured the victim’s screams before the accused was seen leaving with a bag containing the concealed weapon.Police said Singh had withdrawn around Rs 7 lakh from his bank accounts before fleeing. Technical surveillance traced his movements from Delhi towards Gorakhpur, where he allegedly planned to cross into Nepal. He later changed course and travelled towards Mathura, allegedly in an attempt to mislead investigators.He was eventually intercepted near Mathura Railway Station. Police recovered Rs 12.75 lakh in cash and a scooter allegedly used to flee after the murder.During questioning, Singh allegedly confessed that he had planned the killing in advance because of a prolonged family property dispute. He also admitted buying the scissors a few days before the murder to stage the crime scene.“He said he was influenced by The Staircase and believed disposing of the real weapon while leaving another at the scene would derail the investigation. However, scientific evidence, CCTV analysis and technical surveillance exposed the carefully planned plot,” the officer said.Further investigation, including forensic examination and additional recoveries, is underway.(With PTI inputs)
