What began as a family celebration in northwest Delhi’s Rohini turned into a gruesome double murder just two days later. Police confirmed that 40-year-old Yogesh Sehgal, a former jewellery artisan who had recently lost his job, brutally killed his wife and mother-in-law with a pair of scissors following an argument over gifts exchanged at his son’s birthday party.

The incident, which has left the community in shock, unfolded on Saturday afternoon in Sector 17, Rohini, and highlights the devastating consequences of persistent domestic disputes.

The Crime: A Brutal Attack With Scissors

According to police, the victims have been identified as Priya Sehgal (34), Yogesh’s wife, and Kusum Sinha (63), Priya’s mother. Both women were found dead in the same room, stabbed multiple times with scissors.

The murders were reported around 3:50 pm on Saturday after Kusum’s son, Megh Sinha (30), raised an alarm. Megh had been trying to reach his mother by phone throughout the day but received no response. When he arrived at his sister Priya’s house, he found the flat locked from outside with bloodstains visible near the door.

Fearing the worst, Megh broke the lock with the help of other family members. Inside, they discovered the bodies of Priya and Kusum lying in a pool of blood, bearing deep stab wounds on the neck and abdomen.

How the Murder Unfolded

Investigators revealed that the incident was triggered by a bitter argument over birthday gifts. Just two days earlier, the family had gathered to celebrate the 15th birthday of the couple’s younger son, Chirag. During the celebration, a dispute broke out between Priya and Yogesh regarding the gifts exchanged between their families.

Police sources said that Kusum decided to stay at her daughter’s home after the party in an attempt to mediate and resolve the marital tensions. However, the quarrels only escalated in the days that followed.

On Saturday night, around 11:30 pm, Yogesh allegedly stabbed Priya in the neck with a pair of scissors during one such argument. When Kusum tried to intervene, he turned on her and attacked her repeatedly.

Attempt to Cover Up

After committing the murders, police said, Yogesh tried to wipe away the bloodstains and locked the house from outside. He then waited for his teenage sons, aged 15 and 16, to return from school.

When the boys arrived, Yogesh reportedly confessed to them about what he had done and attempted to flee with them. However, before he could escape far, he was arrested within an hour of the crime near KN Katju Marg. At the time of his arrest, he was seen roaming with his two sons.

The police have since placed the children in the care of other family members.

Voices of the Family

In an emotional statement to police and media, Megh Sinha described the horrifying scene he discovered inside the flat:

“When I lifted my mother, I saw deep injuries on her throat and abdomen, blood flowing from the wounds. The house was in complete disarray, belongings scattered all over. He [Yogesh] brutally killed them with scissors and even took my nephews along. He told police in front of me that my mother abused him. That’s a lie—my mother never even argued with him,” Megh said.

Priya’s brother, Himalaya, also expressed disbelief:

“Everybody has fights in a marriage. But who kills their wife and mother-in-law like this? It is so inhuman.”

Police Investigation

Rajeev Ranjan, DCP (Rohini), confirmed that Yogesh had been arrested and booked under charges of murder. Investigators seized his blood-stained clothes and the murder weapon—a pair of scissors—from the crime scene.

The DCP noted that the couple had been married for 17 years and frequently argued over trivial domestic matters. “The motive appears to be rooted in repeated domestic disputes and a heated altercation over birthday gifts,” Ranjan said.

During interrogation, Yogesh admitted that his wife’s remarks about his family not bringing gifts to the birthday party enraged him. That anger, combined with long-standing quarrels, allegedly pushed him to commit the double homicide.

A Family Torn Apart

The murders have left the extended family devastated. Priya and Yogesh’s two sons, both teenagers, are now left without their mother and maternal grandmother. Relatives are struggling to process the fact that what should have been a joyous family milestone—a birthday celebration—spiraled into a tragedy of unimaginable proportions.

The chilling case underscores the dangers of unresolved domestic conflicts and how minor disputes, if left unchecked, can escalate into violence.

Community Shock

Residents of Rohini Sector 17 have described the incident as deeply disturbing. Neighbours recalled frequent arguments between Priya and Yogesh but said no one could have anticipated such an outcome. The area, now swarming with police and forensic teams, has been shaken by the violent crime.

The double murder in Delhi’s Rohini stands as a grim reminder of how domestic discord, unemployment stress, and unresolved marital disputes can culminate in tragedy. With Yogesh now in police custody and the murder weapon recovered, the investigation continues.

Authorities are working to piece together the full sequence of events leading up to the killings. Meanwhile, the grieving family is left to cope with the loss of two women whose lives were cut short in an act of shocking brutality.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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