Ghaziabad Property Dispute Escalates into Brutal Attack on Elderly Couple
In a shocking incident that highlights the dark side of family property disputes, an elderly couple in Ghaziabad's Modinagar area was allegedly attacked by their younger son and his wife. The violent altercation, which occurred late Monday night, has left both victims hospitalized with critical injuries.
Three-Year Property Dispute Turns Violent
The victims, identified as 70-year-old Ramashankar Singh and his 65-year-old wife Sushila Devi, had been living in their 100-square-yard house in Harmukhpuri colony. Their younger son Manoj Kumar, his wife Kiran Devi, and their three daughters shared the residence and served as the primary caregivers for the elderly couple.
Police investigations reveal that Manoj had been pressuring his father for the past three years to transfer the property deeds to his name. What began as verbal disagreements gradually escalated into physical confrontations, with Manoj reportedly attempting to drive his parents out of their own home to claim ownership of the property.
Family members and neighbors had previously intervened to mediate the conflict, but tensions continued to simmer beneath the surface.
Monday's Violent Escalation
The situation reached a breaking point on Monday morning when, around 7 AM, Manoj and his wife allegedly assaulted Ramashankar and Sushila. Fearing for their safety, the elderly couple approached the Govindpuri police outpost around 11 AM and later visited the Modinagar police station at approximately 5 PM.
In a concerning development, the couple was allegedly told to return later to file a formal complaint because no female officers were on duty at the time. This delay in police response proved costly as the situation deteriorated further.
Brutal Nighttime Attack with Axe
After returning home around 10 PM and retiring to their room, the elderly couple faced their most terrifying ordeal. Late at night, Manoj and his wife allegedly attacked them with an axe, inflicting multiple blows on their faces, heads, and necks.
The victims' screams alerted neighbors, who rushed to the house and managed to rescue the badly injured couple. Both Ramashankar and Sushila sustained deep cuts that required immediate medical attention.
Police Response and Hospitalization
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Modinagar) Bhaskar Verma stated, "Upon receiving information about a life-threatening attack on an elderly couple, the station house officer went to the spot. A case for attempted murder has been registered against Manoj Kumar and his wife. They have been arrested and the axe used has been seized."
The victims were initially admitted to a local hospital but were later referred to a specialized medical facility in Meerut due to their critical condition. Medical reports indicate that Sushila Devi remains in particularly grave condition following the brutal assault.
Broader Implications and Community Response
This incident has sent shockwaves through the Modinagar community, raising serious questions about:
- The adequacy of police response mechanisms for vulnerable elderly citizens
- The growing trend of property disputes turning violent within families
- The need for better legal protections for senior citizens facing domestic threats
- Community intervention strategies for preventing such tragedies
Neighbors who witnessed the aftermath described the scene as horrific, with both victims bleeding profusely from multiple wounds. Many expressed frustration that earlier interventions had failed to prevent the violence from reaching this extreme level.
The case continues to develop as police conduct further investigations into the sequence of events and gather additional evidence. Legal experts suggest this incident may prompt renewed discussions about elder protection laws and property dispute resolution mechanisms in India.
