In a shocking case of betrayal, 60-year-old Dr Vinod Goyal, who operated Goyal Nursing Home in Punhana, was allegedly murdered by his long-time friend Deepak Rajasthani, 42, over a monetary dispute. The accused has been arrested and reportedly confessed to the crime.
According to police, Dr Goyal was strangled to death in a car on August 28, after which Deepak and his accomplice transported the body to Haridwar and dumped it in the Ganga River in an attempt to stage a suicide. The body is yet to be recovered.
The case came to light after the doctor went missing, and a suspicious message was sent from his phone to a compounder, claiming he would be away for 15 days. His family became concerned after five days of no contact and filed a missing persons complaint on September 3.
Investigation into his call records led the police to Deepak Rajasthani, a former councillor and utensil shop owner. Under interrogation, he confessed to the crime, citing financial pressure. Dr Goyal had allegedly lent him Rs40–45 lakh over the years, which he was demanding back.
“There was a transaction of lakhs between them. The accused says it was Rs23 lakh, but Dr Goyal’s brother claims it was nearly double,” said SHO Rajesh Kumar of Punhana City police station.
The crime has shocked the community, with local MLA Mohammad Ilyas and former MLA Naseem Ahmed joining the public in demanding swift action and recovery of the doctor’s body.
