Shock and profound grief have enveloped a family in New Delhi's Shahdara following the brutal double murder of an elderly, religious couple, remembered by their loved ones as simple and gentle souls.
A Dream of Ayodhya Left Unfulfilled
Speaking from the family home, their daughter Ekta, visibly distraught, recalled her parents' one long-cherished wish. Parvesh Bansal and her husband Virender Bansal had dreamt of visiting the holy town of Ayodhya. Due to their advanced age and fragile health, relatives had advised them to postpone the pilgrimage until the following summer, fearing the harsh winter conditions would be too taxing.
"They would tell me they wanted to see Ayodhya once," Ekta said, her voice trembling with emotion. The couple, known for their modest lifestyle and calm demeanor, were largely confined to their home in recent years due to age-related ailments. Parvesh had recently undergone knee surgery, while Virender had a spinal operation.
A Frantic Call and Unanswered Questions
Ekta, who lives in Meerut, last spoke to her parents on Thursday to wish them a Happy New Year, a cherished annual ritual. Just three days later, she received a frantic call from her brother with the devastating news. She rushed to Shahdara to find a scene of utter disbelief and sorrow as family and neighbors gathered.
The collective grief was mixed with anger and confusion. Everyone described the Bansals as people with no known enemies or disputes. "We cannot understand what anyone could have gained by hurting them. They would have barely had any money at home," a local resident, who identified Virender as a pensioner, stated.
Family Points to Security Lapses, Demands Justice
The tragic incident has raised serious concerns about safety and security in the locality. The grieving family has pointedly questioned whether security measures, including nearby CCTV cameras, were functional at the time of the crime.
"If this can happen to a simple schoolteacher, then no one is safe. Today it happened to us. Tomorrow it could happen to any of the neighbors," a relative asserted, capturing the community's fear. The family's primary demand is clear: they want the truth to be uncovered and justice to be served swiftly for the gentle couple whose quiet life ended in unimaginable violence.
