Father uses minor son to kill rival a day before his 18th birthday, arrested

 

By Sagaya Fernando | September 29, 2025

New Delhi, INDIA: In a chilling case that has stunned the capital, a 47-year-old man allegedly roped in his minor son to murder a long-time rival in South Delhi’s Malviya Nagar — timing the attack a day before the teenager’s 18th birthday to exploit juvenile law provisions.

The victim, identified as Lakhpat Singh (56), a property dealer and resident of Begumpur, was attacked during his morning walk at Vijay Mandal Park around 6.30 am on Friday September 26. Police said Singh was bludgeoned with a cricket bat and then shot with a countrymade pistol. He collapsed in a pool of blood and was rushed to AIIMS Trauma Centre, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Planned Vendetta Rooted in Old Feud

Investigations revealed that the murder was the outcome of a bitter feud dating back to 2016, when Singh allegedly assaulted the accused, Khushi Ram, a property dealer from Auchandi village, leaving him bedridden for nine months. Cross-cases were filed, and both sides had remained locked in hostility for nearly a decade.

Police said Ram had been waiting for years to exact revenge. His son, then only nine years old, grew up aware of the enmity. The duo decided to carry out the attack this week, with Ram deliberately choosing September 26 — the day before his son’s 18th birthday — to ensure the boy would be tried under juvenile law.

CCTV Footage and Surveillance Crack the Case

Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Ankit Chauhan said more than 650 CCTV cameras spanning a 55-km stretch were scrutinised to trace the killers. Footage showed the father-son duo arriving at the park on a black Hero Splendor motorcycle with its number plate removed and their faces covered. They waited outside before chasing Singh inside the park and carrying out the deadly assault.

Bloodstains, a broken cricket bat, and the abandoned motorcycle were recovered from the crime scene. The pistol used in the crime is yet to be traced.

Technical surveillance, along with call detail records (CDRs), pointed to Khushi Ram’s movements towards Auchandi village. His mobile phone being switched off during the incident period further raised suspicion.

Minor Conducted Recce, Helped in Execution

Police revealed that the 17-year-old son had been staying with relatives in the area for about 15 days before the crime. He conducted detailed surveillance of Singh’s morning routine, noting that the victim regularly went for walks in Vijay Mandal Park. On September 25, he shared this information with his father, and together they executed the plan the next morning.

The minor was apprehended on Saturday September 27 evening, following which he led police to his father’s hideout. During interrogation, Ram confessed to orchestrating the murder, admitting that he instigated his son to join him in order to benefit from his juvenile status.

Criminal History of the Accused

Police said Khushi Ram has a record of at least four previous FIRs registered between 2006 and 2016, including cases of attempt to murder, assault, criminal intimidation, extortion, and trespass. “He had been nurturing the grudge against Singh for nine years and finally executed the revenge with the help of his son,” said a senior officer.

A case has been registered under Sections 103 (murder) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 25/27 of the Arms Act at Malviya Nagar police station.

Police said further investigation is underway to recover the weapon and establish whether more people were involved in aiding the duo.