Rajasthan Police have cracked the murder of an elderly couple from Punavali village under the Saira police station area, arresting five accused and detaining a sixth after establishing that their neighbour, Kushal alias Khushi Paliwal (26), had allegedly planned the robbery-turned-murder for nearly one and a half years. The victims, Lahrilal Paliwal and his wife Radhabai, were killed on the night of 11 August and their bodies were discovered on 14 August hidden inside a storage chest beneath a bed in their own home.

How the Crime Came to Light

The couple's son, Manohar Lal, who resides in Gujarat, last spoke to Radhabai by phone on the night of 11 August. When relatives visited the following day and found the house empty, a search was launched. Three days later, on 14 August, the bodies of both Lahrilal and Radhabai were found stuffed in plastic bags inside a bedding storage compartment, covered with linen.

The discovery triggered a police investigation that would eventually unravel a meticulously planned operation involving six individuals from across multiple states.

The Alleged Plan: A Year and a Half in the Making

According to District Superintendent of Police Amrita Duhan, the alleged mastermind Kushal had accumulated significant debt — borrowing from both individuals and banks — and was struggling to repay. Knowing that the elderly couple lived largely alone and kept jewellery and cash at home, he allegedly began planning the crime roughly 18 months before it was carried out.

On 9 August, Kushal allegedly arrived in Punavali with associates Chandan Yadav (27) of Samastipur, Bihar, Vikas Kharwad, and Dilip Chaudhary (30) of Surat. The group reportedly conducted a reconnaissance of the couple's house and the surrounding area before travelling via Gogunda towards Panariyo Madri. On their return, they allegedly finalised their plan while staying at a hotel near the Gogunda toll plaza.

How the Murders Were Carried Out

Kushal allegedly drew on his status as a trusted neighbour to gain access. On 10 August, he and Chandan visited Lahrilal's home, where Radhabai served them a meal. During the visit, police said Kushal concealed a hammer he found inside the house under his clothing, though the two left after noticing movement nearby.

On the morning of 11 August, they returned but found the door locked and left again. That night, Kushal's cousins Kishan Paliwal (21) and Jeevan Paliwal (21), both of Punavali, visited the house on the pretext of showing the couple a horoscope. While they distracted Radhabai, Kushal allegedly slipped inside and hid in the bathroom. He later messaged Kishan and Jeevan to leave, before opening the door for Chandan, Dilip, and Vikas.

Police said the group then went upstairs and killed Lahrilal by striking him on the head with a hammer. Radhabai was allegedly strangled while she slept in a downstairs room. The accused reportedly placed both bodies in plastic bags, concealed them in the bed's storage compartment, and covered them with bedding.

The Robbery and the Cover-Up

Using Radhabai's keys, the accused allegedly opened the wardrobe and removed jewellery and cash. They also took the couple's mobile phones and later discarded them on a highway while the devices were still switched on — an apparent attempt to create the impression that the couple had left home voluntarily.

Investigators, however, analysed call records and location data from the discarded phones, questioned local residents, and identified a suspicious vehicle that had been sighted in the area on the nights of 9–11 August and again at around 5 am on 12 August. The same vehicle was recorded at the Kherwara toll plaza, providing investigators with a critical lead.

Arrests and Recovery

Acting on technical and investigative leads, police established the alleged involvement of Kushal and his associates. The five arrested are: Kushal alias Khushi Paliwal (26), currently residing in Surat; Chandan Yadav (27) of Samastipur, Bihar, residing in Surat; Dilip Chaudhary (30) of Surat; Kishan Paliwal (21) of Punavali; and Jeevan Paliwal (21) of Punavali. A sixth suspect has been detained. Police have also recovered the vehicle allegedly used in the crime.

Investigators say the case underscores how financial desperation can lead to targeted violence against vulnerable residents living alone in rural areas. The matter is expected to proceed to trial as police file a charge sheet.