In a shocking betrayal of trust, the Mohali Police have revealed that the brutal murder of a former senior Punjab law officer's wife was masterminded by the family's own domestic help. The crime, executed on the night of December 29, resulted in the death of 66-year-old Ashok Goyal, wife of former Punjab Additional Advocate General Krishan Kumar Goyal.
The Grisly Crime and Staged Scene
According to police officials, the incident took place at the Goyal residence in Phase-5, Mohali. The prime accused, domestic help Neeraj, who hails from Uttarakhand and had served the family for over eight years, allegedly conspired with his relatives to carry out the crime. On the fateful night, the assailants first tied Neeraj to a chair and gagged him, staging a false scene to mislead investigators. Subsequently, they strangled Ashok Goyal to death.
The perpetrators then fled with a significant haul, including approximately 40 tolas of gold jewellery and Rs 8.5 lakh in cash. The murder occurred while Krishan Kumar Goyal and other family members were abroad, leaving Ashok Goyal vulnerable.
Police Crack the Case and Hunt for Accomplices
Mohali City Superintendent of Police, Dilpreet Singh, announced that the case has been cracked with the arrest of the main accused, Neeraj. Neeraj was taken into custody on December 30 when police arrived to inspect the crime scene and has since confessed to his role as the mastermind.
"The main accused, the domestic help, is in custody. Teams are continuously conducting raids to arrest his absconding associates," stated SP Dilpreet Singh. Investigators have identified two accomplices and suspect they may be hiding in Delhi, Uttarakhand, or Uttar Pradesh. Multiple police teams are conducting cross-state operations to apprehend them.
Insider Knowledge and Escape Route
Police sources indicated that the nature of the crime immediately raised suspicions of an insider's involvement. The thieves targeted only cash and jewellery, demonstrating precise knowledge of where these valuables were kept within the house. Furthermore, the late-night opening of the door latch strongly pointed to internal complicity.
CCTV footage helped trace the escape route of the accused. The assailants were seen walking from the neighbourhood towards the main road. "They moved through Phase-5 PTL and Phase-2, hired an autorickshaw to Chandigarh, and later escaped by train from the railway station," revealed a police officer.
The Mohali police are now delving deeper into the motive, probing what prompted Neeraj, after years of seemingly faithful service, to plan such a heinous act. Further arrests are expected as the investigation progresses, uncovering the full network behind this calculated crime of greed and betrayal.
