'Eye on her grandfather's property': Why Bengal couple killed DU professor

NEW DELHI: Police investigating the murder of a Delhi University assistant professor, Dr Debosmita Paul, suspect a property dispute may have been the motive behind the killing.

According to investigators, the property in question was owned by the professor's maternal grandfather in West Bengal.

Police suspect couple wanted to purchase it, but the Paul had refused to sell it.

Paul, an assistant professor at Shivaji College, was found dead in her apartment in New Ashok Nagar on Thursday.

Police have arrested a man and his wife in connection with the case. The couple were nabbed from West Bengal.

Investigators said the accused arrived at the apartment with a child, whom they allegedly left outside before entering the flat and attacking the professor.

The killing has shocked students and colleagues at Shivaji College, where Paul had taught for about two and a half years.

Expressing grief over the loss, Shivaji College Principal Virender Bhardwaj said Paul had become an integral part of the institution during her tenure.

"She was sensitive, hardworking and had an affinity for the arts. While she was introverted, she was always very enthusiastic about cultural activities and would often accompany our students wherever they participated," Bhardwaj.

He said Paul had previously taught at Maharaja Agrasen College before joining Shivaji College.

"She was with us for about two and a half years and was already a part of the college family. On Thursday, the college office tried to contact her regarding some routine work. When they could not reach her, I also tried calling her, but we received no response," he said.

Bhardwaj said the college learnt about the incident later in the afternoon.

"Finally, around 3 pm to 4 pm, we came to know about it as the news started spreading. It came as a complete shock to all of us," he said.

The principal said Paul had never shown signs of distress that might have alerted colleagues to any concerns.

"None of us knew anything. She never seemed stressed or showed any visible signs of distress," he said.

Students described the news as devastating for the college community.

"It was really shocking. We have always known her as a very kind person. Nobody had any problem with her and she was respected by students," a student said.

Another student described the news as "a huge shock" for the college community, saying many students were struggling to come to terms with the loss.

A condolence meeting was organised at the college on Friday, where students and faculty members paid tribute to the teacher.

Bhardwaj said that although the college would ordinarily have considered suspending activities for the day, ongoing university examinations made closure difficult.

"Since examinations are underway, the college had to remain open," he said.

In a condolence message issued on Friday, Shivaji College described Paul's death as an "irreparable loss" to her family, the academic community and the college fraternity.

"In this hour of grief, we stand in solidarity with her family and loved ones," the message further read.

According to police, a PCR call was received at New Ashok Nagar police station at around 2.35 pm on Thursday from a woman who reported that her sister had been murdered and was lying inside a flat in Satyam Apartments, Vasundhara Enclave.

Police said the caller, identified as Devarati Paul, informed them that her sister, Debosmita Paul, who lived alone in the apartment, was not responding to repeated phone calls and that the flat had remained locked from outside since morning.

Suspecting something was wrong, the complainant broke open the lock and found her sister lying dead inside the apartment, police said.

A crime team was called to the scene and forensic evidence was collected after photography and videography of the apartment.