A 20-year-old man, Arjun Tanwar, was arrested by Delhi Police for allegedly murdering his parents and sister while they slept at their home in Neb Sarai on Wednesday morning. The gruesome crime, motivated by domestic issues and a family property dispute, has shocked the community.
At around 5 a.m., Arjun is said to have moved from room to room, attacking each family member with a knife. After the killings, he staged the scene to mislead investigators, pretending he had gone for a morning walk and returned to discover the bodies. He called the police at 6:53 a.m., reporting that his family had been murdered.
The victims were Rajesh Tanwar, 51, a retired Army Naik Subedar, his wife Komal Tanwar, 46, and their daughter Kavita Tanwar, 23. All three had their throats slit while lying in bed. Relatives revealed that Rajesh and Komal were planning to celebrate their 27th wedding anniversary on the day of the murders. Kavita, a karate black belt and UPSC aspirant, was found on the ground floor of the house, while her parents were on the upper floor.
Arjun, a second-year student at Delhi University’s Moti Lal Nehru College, had won a silver medal in boxing at the Delhi Olympics state-level championship. Despite his achievements, his relationship with his parents, especially his father, was strained. Police said that Arjun harbored resentment toward Rajesh, accusing him of favoritism and frequent scolding. He also expressed feelings of being treated like a “stepchild.”
The immediate trigger for the murders, investigators believe, was Arjun’s discovery that his father was transferring the family property to his sister Kavita. The crime appeared premeditated, with Arjun first attacking Kavita while she slept, then moving upstairs to kill his father and mother. His mother, who was in the bathroom at the time, was attacked as she stepped out.
During the investigation, Arjun initially misled police by claiming he had gone for a walk and found his family dead upon returning. However, inconsistencies in his statements raised suspicions. According to DCP (South) Ankit Chauhan, there was no evidence of third-party involvement, and CCTV footage revealed no suspicious movements near the house. As the interrogation progressed, Arjun’s story began to unravel, and he eventually confessed to the murders.
A crucial piece of evidence was blood stains found on the keys of the interlock, which could only have been accessed by Arjun or another family member. This led investigators to confirm his involvement in the crime.
Rajesh Tanwar, who retired as a Naik Subedar in 2010, had also served as an NSG commando and worked as a personal security officer for a businessman. Neighbors were left in disbelief at the news of the brutal murders. Many described the Tanwars as kind and social people, expressing shock that Arjun, who had always seemed respectful, could be responsible for such a horrific crime.
Some relatives initially suspected other motives. Rakesh Chauhan, Rajesh’s brother, had considered the possibility of a dispute related to a Rs10 lakh loan Rajesh had given to a friend. However, as the investigation progressed, it became clear that Arjun’s motive was rooted in familial resentment and financial tensions.
Relatives described the Tanwar family as close-knit, with Rajesh and Komal deeply devoted to their children’s education and future. Kavita was preparing for the UPSC exams, and her parents were extremely proud of her accomplishments. The tragic crime has left the family, friends, and neighbors in shock, struggling to comprehend how a son could turn on his own family in such a brutal manner.
