Plumber kills elderly couple with screwdriver after getting paid Rs 300 less than what he asked, then runs away with their gold chain

An 80 year old retired works manager at an ordnance factory in Dehradun was allegedly murdered along with his 75 year old wife and their house help at their Raipur home on Tuesday, after a dispute with plumber who had come in for repair work. Victims were identified as Ramesh Kapoor, his wife Rajni and house help Tilya Devi, aged 48.

Police arrested Raj Kumar, plumber from Uttar Pradesh's Bijnor, who had been working in Dehradun for around five years and had reportedly carried out jobs for Kapoor family in past as well. All three victims died after being stabbed with a screwdriver, police said.

What Led To Argument Between Plumber And Couple

Dehradun SSP Pramendra Dobal told TOI that Kumar had been called to Kapoors' home for plumbing work on Tuesday. After finishing job, he allegedly got into an argument with Kapoor over how much he was being paid. What started as a dispute over a few hundred rupees soon turned violent, according to police account.

How Did House Help Get Involved

House help Tilya heard commotion from inside home and tried to step in and stop fight, Dobal told TOI. Accused allegedly turned on her as well and stabbed her with same screwdriver he had used on couple. All three succumbed to their injuries, bringing total number of victims in case to three.

What Weapon Was Used In Attack

Screwdriver that Kumar had carried for repair work was later recovered near bodies and is believed to be murder weapon, police said. Tool meant for fixing a tap or a pipe ended up being used in a triple murder, a detail that has stood out in how case has been described by investigators and locals alike.

How Was Accused Caught

Vishal Rana, neighbour who rushed victims to hospital, told TOI that incident happened around 2.30 pm. He said he and other locals saw a man walking away hastily in blood stained clothes and gave chase before catching him. Screwdriver found near victims is what police believe sealed link between man they caught and murders.

What Did Accused Tell Reporters

Speaking to reporters after his arrest, Kumar did not deny attack and instead spoke openly about what led to it. He said, "I asked for Rs 600, they were paying me Rs 300, so I stabbed them with screwdriver." Admission came without any apparent hesitation, according to those present when he spoke.

What Happened To Stolen Jewellery

Police said Kumar allegedly fled scene with a gold chain belonging to couple before he was caught by neighbours. Chain was among items recovered once he was apprehended, as police began piecing together sequence of events that led from a routine repair job to a fatal attack within span of a single afternoon.

What Do We Know About Victims

Kapoors had two sons, who live in Pune and Delhi, away from parents' Dehradun home. Tilya, house help who died trying to intervene, was originally from Bihar and mother of four children. Her family has filed a complaint against Kumar, on basis of which an FIR was registered.

What Action Has Police Taken

Case has been registered against Kumar under murder provision of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, following complaint lodged by Tilya's family. Police are examining evidence recovered from house and continuing to question Kumar as part of investigation into exact sequence of events inside home that afternoon.

Inputs from TOI