NEW DELHI: The 29-year-old suspect in the murder of an 18-year-old saleswoman inside a clothing showroom’s trial room in west Delhi’s Moti Nagar has been apprehended.The victim, identified as Shabnam, was found dead inside the trial room of Vastr Mahal on Saturday evening.The suspect, identified as Suraj, is a resident of Sudamapuri in Moti Nagar. Shabnam worked at a showroom near Moti Nagar Metro Station and lived with her family in West Delhi.According to the preliminary investigation, Suraj allegedly knew Shabnam and had been on friendly terms with her earlier. Police suspect that strained personal relations may have led to the murder.Shabnam was allegedly attacked with a sharp-edged weapon inside the trial room. Her body was discovered by showroom employees on Saturday, when they were preparing to close the establishment.Police found a sharp injury on her neck, and a blood-stained knife was recovered near her body.
What happened inside the showroom?
A woman who claimed to have witnessed the events leading to the discovery of the body said Shabnam had previously worked for her before joining a shop directly opposite her workplace.The woman said she had seen Shabnam sitting at the showroom and using her phone around 6.45pm. At around 7.30pm, she received a call from Shabnam’s employer, who informed her that the young woman was missing after a man allegedly assaulted her.The witness said she went to the showroom but could not find Shabnam. Two neighbours later returned after checking CCTV footage and suspecting that she might still be inside the premises.The group entered the showroom and noticed Shabnam’s scarf near the trial room. They then spotted blood coming from inside and alerted the police and her parents.
Police probe and investigation
A PCR call reporting a woman lying unconscious inside the showroom was received at Moti Nagar police station on Saturday. A police team reached the spot and found Shabnam dead.Crime team personnel and forensic science laboratory experts inspected the scene and collected evidence. Her body was shifted to the mortuary of Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital for a post-mortem examination.During the preliminary investigation, police found that two of the suspect’s brothers are married to two sisters of the deceased.Based on a complaint lodged by Shabnam’s brother, police registered a murder case under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.Investigators are probing the motive behind the murder.