The narrow alleys of Rangpuri, near Vasant Kunj, known for their industrial factories and warehouses, became the site of a horrifying tragedy on September 27. A man allegedly killed his four daughters before taking his own life, in an eerie callback to the infamous Burari deaths.
Police, upon entering the rented flat, recovered the decomposed bodies of the deceased. The man has been identified as Heeralal Sharma, a 46-year-old carpenter employed at the Indian Spinal Injury Centre in Vasant Kunj. His daughters—Neetu (26), Nikki (24), Neeru (23), and Nidhi (20)—were also found deceased. The police stated that two of the daughters were disabled: Neeru was visually impaired, while Nidhi had physical challenges.
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The family of five lived in a rented one-bedroom apartment in a residential complex on the third floor, where eight flats are located on each floor. Despite having lived there for around two decades, the family mostly kept to themselves, especially after Heeralal’s wife died of cancer in August 2023. Following her death, Heeralal ceased communication with other residents.
While the exact cause of death is still under investigation, initial post-mortem reports suggest poisoning. During the investigation, officials found three packets of Celphos—a substance made from aluminium phosphide, commonly used as an insecticide—along with five glasses and a spoon containing an unidentified liquid.
The forensic team is currently awaiting the viscera report to confirm the findings.
According to the police, Sharma had not returned to work since January. His employers at the Indian Spinal Injury Centre had sent several notices, urging him to resume his duties. Investigators revealed that Sharma earned Rs. 25,000 per month but had only Rs. 208 left in his bank account at the time of his death. His bank records also show that the last transaction was made in April. Police are exploring financial instability as a possible motive for his drastic actions.
Authorities are also investigating the presence of red threads on the daughters’ wrists and necks, hinting at the possibility of occult practices.
Neighbours described the family as reclusive. Premlal, a security guard at a nearby warehouse, said, “He kept to himself, didn’t talk to any of us. Nobody came in or out of their flat, and after his wife’s death, the interactions became even more limited.”
Heeralal was last seen on the evening of September 24, returning home with a packet of sweets, according to Rekha, a resident of a nearby building. “I saw him in the evening, carrying a packet in his hand as he headed home,” she said. CCTV footage from that evening shows him carrying a blue polythene bag, which police believe contained sweets or food items.
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Two days later, his body was discovered. Neighbours alerted the building’s caretaker, Mohan Singh, after noticing a foul smell emanating from Heeralal’s balcony. Singh’s wife, Vimla Devi, explained, “After residents complained, my husband knocked on Heeralal’s door on Friday, but there was no response.”
Mohan Singh contacted the building’s owner, Nitin Chauhan, who also hadn’t seen Heeralal for several days. Chauhan rushed to the flat but found the door bolted. He alerted the police, who, with the help of the fire brigade, forced open the door.
Inside, they found Heeralal’s body in one room, while the bodies of his four daughters were discovered in another.
Vimla Devi described Heeralal as a recluse, saying he rarely opened his door fully when someone knocked. “He would only open the door a crack, just enough so you could barely see him inside. He never let anyone in,” she added.
Another resident, Sheetal, recalled that Heeralal had been deeply affected by his wife’s death. “He was always busy taking his daughters to the hospital. When he returned, he would carry them one by one up to the flat since they were disabled.”
Rakesh Kumar, another resident, mentioned that Heeralal’s daughters were well-educated in science, commerce, and humanities, but were unable to find work. “He took it upon himself to provide for them. His daughters also rarely left the house. Even during festivals, we hardly ever saw the family.”
However, some residents reported hearing the sisters arguing a day before they allegedly died by suicide.
The police have handed over the bodies to Heeralal’s sister-in-law, Gudiya Sharma.
A case has been registered under Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Code (inquiry and report on suicide).
