Lucknow/Prayagraj: What initially appeared to be a gruesome triple murder in Prayagraj has unfolded into a chilling tale of family conflict, greed and betrayal, with investigators alleging that a son conspired to murder his own parents and sister for jewellery before becoming a victim himself in a deadly dispute over the loot.
Police on Wednesday claimed to have solved the sensational case that stunned residents of the South Malaka area, leading to the arrest of a local businessman and the recovery of more than one kilogram of gold jewellery and silver ornaments allegedly linked to the crime.
The case came to light when a relative of the Vaishya family alerted authorities after finding their home locked for two days and noticing a foul smell coming from inside. When police entered the residence, they discovered the decomposed bodies of 70-year-old Virendra Vaishya, his wife Anita Vaishya, 65, and their daughter Meenakshi Vaishya, 45.
Investigators initially suspected Virendra’s son, Abhishek Vaishya, who was missing from the house. However, the mystery deepened when police later found Abhishek’s body inside his locked shop located within the same market complex. Like the other victims, he had suffered fatal head injuries.
According to police, evidence collected from the crime scene, including CCTV footage and surveillance inputs, led investigators to Sunny Gupta, who operated a snack shop in the market complex and was reportedly a close friend of Abhishek. Authorities arrested Gupta and recovered an iron rod believed to have been used in the murders, along with large quantities of gold and silver jewellery.
Police claim that relations between Abhishek and his father had deteriorated over financial disputes and property-related disagreements. Investigators said Virendra had reportedly disowned his son from family property several years ago, creating deep resentment.
During questioning, police allege that Sunny confessed to participating in a plan hatched by Abhishek. According to investigators, the two men were consuming alcohol together on May 31 when Abhishek allegedly proposed robbing jewellery kept at the family home to clear mounting debts.
Police said the plan escalated into a brutal attack. Investigators believe Meenakshi was the first victim. She was allegedly assaulted when she arrived to open her gift shop in the market complex. The attackers then allegedly targeted Virendra and Anita inside their room, striking them repeatedly with an iron rod.
Authorities say the bodies were covered and efforts were made to mislead investigators. A handwritten note allegedly intended to implicate other relatives was left behind, while personal belongings and potential evidence were hidden inside a water tank.
However, what followed was an unexpected twist. According to police, a dispute erupted between Abhishek and Sunny over the division of the stolen jewellery. The argument allegedly turned violent, culminating in Sunny attacking and killing Abhishek with the same weapon.
Investigators further allege that Sunny attempted to erase evidence by using household cleaning products and chemicals before locking both the residence and the shop and leaving the scene.
The recovered jewellery, police said, was found concealed inside Sunny’s shop within the market complex.
The shocking sequence of events has left residents struggling to comprehend how a family dispute could spiral into such a devastating tragedy. Four lives were lost, and a crime allegedly driven by financial distress and greed ended in betrayal among the very people who had planned it.
Police officials said further legal proceedings are underway, while forensic and documentary evidence is being examined to strengthen the prosecution’s case. The incident has once again highlighted how unresolved family conflicts and financial pressures can sometimes culminate in catastrophic consequences.
