Sher-e-Punjab double murder: No other reason behind killings, say police

Purshottam Singh Gandhok

Andheri magistrate court on Friday sent the 89-year-old former soldier, arrested for killing his ailing wife and mentally ill daughter, to judicial custody. Police informed the court that they have found the knife used in the murders and that their investigation is complete.

However, police have still not found out why Purshottam Singh Gandhok shifted from Virar to Andheri about two weeks back. He was living in a rented flat at Prem Sandesh Society in Sher-e-Punjab Colony, Andheri East. He killed his wife Jasbir Kaur and younger daughter Kamaljeet Kaur on the night of February 6 and surrendered the next morning. Gandhok had been taking care of them for the past 20 years and also did household chores.

Gandhok had told police that he killed Jasbir and Kamaljeet because he had become weak and was not able to look after them anymore, and was worried who would take care of them if he died. Police have not recorded the statement of his son, who also lives in Virar. They neither recreated the crime scene nor took the accused to the spot.

Police sources said, "Gandhok is a senior citizen and he is still in depression. He is also a hypertension patient. Because of these reasons, the police don't want to take any risk." Police had secured his custody for four days following the arrest on Monday, but did not find anything new. They told the court that their investigation is complete and that they have found no other reason behind the murders.