New Delhi: The prime suspect in the murder of wrestler Nisha Dahiya and her brother Sooraj — her coach Pawan Barak — has told Delhi Police that it was a “crime of passion”, ThePrint has learnt.
According to sources in Delhi Police, Barak, who is married, said during his preliminary interrogation that he was “infuriated” about Nisha, 21, having an affair with someone else.
The 25-year-old coach was arrested by Delhi Police Special Cell from the national capital’s Dwarka area Friday, two days after he allegedly shot dead Nisha and Sooraj, 19, and left their mother Dhanpati grievously injured on the outskirts of Halalpur village in Sonepat, Haryana. He was arrested with an associate, Sachin Dahiya, 23.
Two others accused — Pawan’s wife Sujata and brother-in-law Amit — were arrested by police in Sonepat Thursday. Sachin, Sujata and Amit were all allegedly present at the site of the crime — Pawan’s wrestling academy — when it occurred.
Nisha had joined Pawan’s academy, named after the Olympic medalist wrestler Sushil Kumar, three years ago.
“During questioning, Pawan told us that he was infuriated that Nisha had ended their affair. He said they started seeing each other about a year and a half ago, until things went haywire and their affair ended,” said a senior Delhi Police officer. “Since then, Pawan and Nisha would often end up arguing over it and their families also got involved in the matter.”
A Sonepat Police officer, on the condition of anonymity, confirmed the same and said they are “investigating all angles” in the case.
“The FIR filed on the basis of the mother’s statement states that Pawan had allegedly called Nisha to the academy Wednesday afternoon and molested her,” said the Sonepat officer. “He also allegedly threatened her with dire consequences if she told anyone in her family.”
In her statement, accessed by ThePrint, Dhanpati has claimed that Pawan had molested Nisha Dahiya and hadn’t mended his ways despite a warning.
On Wednesday, she alleged, Pawan had called Nisha to the academy and later called Dhanpati to come and pick her up.
When the mother reached the academy with Sooraj, Nisha allegedly accused the coach of molestation. He then allegedly shot her and opened fire at Sooraj and Nisha when they tried to escape.
While Nisha suffered four bullet injuries, three bullets were fired at Sooraj, sources said.
Sources in Sonepat Police said the three others arrested have denied involvement in the double-murder during questioning.
(Edited by Sunanda Ranjan)
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