‘Sat on His Chest’: Retired IAF Engineer Murdered by Daughter-in-Law in Delhi Property Feud

'Sat on his chest': Retired IAF engineer murdered by daughter-in-law

It began as a family feud over a modest 50-yard plot of land. It ended in cold-blooded murder.

In a harrowing incident that has shaken Delhi’s Bindapur neighborhood, Naresh Kumar—a 72-year-old retired Indian Air Force (IAF) engineer—was allegedly killed by his own daughter-in-law, Geeta, in what police describe as a brutal, premeditated assault fueled by a simmering property dispute .

According to initial investigations, Geeta didn’t just argue—she reportedly sat on the elderly man’s chest with such force that it caused fatal head and internal injuries. His desperate cries for help were heard by neighbors, who eventually raised the alarm—but it was too late .

This case—already dubbed the Delhi daughter-in-law murder case—is more than a crime story. It’s a grim reflection of how familial trust can collapse under the weight of greed, entitlement, and unchecked domestic conflict.

Table of Contents

What Happened in Bindapur?

On the morning of December 29, 2025, residents of a housing colony in Bindapur, West Delhi, were startled by loud cries coming from Naresh Kumar’s home. Neighbors later told police they heard him shouting, “Help me! She’s killing me!” .

When they rushed to his aid, they found Kumar unconscious on the floor, with visible injuries to his head and neck. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival. An autopsy revealed severe cranial trauma and compression injuries consistent with “blunt force applied to the torso and head” .

Within hours, Delhi Police arrested Geeta—Kumar’s daughter-in-law—based on eyewitness accounts and preliminary forensic findings. She allegedly confessed to the assault during interrogation, citing “long-standing anger” over property rights .

Who Was Naresh Kumar?

Naresh Kumar wasn’t just any retiree. He served over three decades in the Indian Air Force as an engineer, contributing to critical maintenance and aviation safety systems during his tenure. Colleagues described him as disciplined, soft-spoken, and deeply family-oriented .

After retirement, he lived quietly in Delhi with his son and daughter-in-law. Friends say tensions began months ago when Kumar refused to transfer ownership of a small ancestral plot—worth an estimated ₹40–50 lakh—to his son’s name, fearing it would be sold without his consent. That decision, it seems, sealed his fate.

The Property Dispute: A 50-Yard Plot That Cost a Life

Land disputes are among the most common triggers for domestic violence in urban India—especially among joint families. In this case, the contested land measured just 50 square yards, yet it became the epicenter of lethal conflict.

Geeta, according to police sources, had repeatedly demanded the property be handed over, arguing it would “secure their children’s future.” When Kumar refused—insisting the land stay in his name until his death—the arguments escalated .

Legal experts note that such disputes often go unreported until they turn violent. “Many elderly parents surrender property out of fear,” says a lawyer specializing in senior citizen rights. “This case shows the tragic extreme of what happens when they stand their ground.”

Geeta’s Arrest and Legal Charges

Geeta was arrested under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including:

  • Section 302 – Murder
  • Section 34 – Common intention (if others are later implicated)
  • Section 201 – Causing disappearance of evidence (allegedly attempted to clean the scene)

She remains in police custody as of December 30, 2025. Her husband (Kumar’s son) has not been arrested but is under questioning. Authorities are examining whether he had prior knowledge of the assault .

Elder Abuse in India: A Growing Crisis

This case is not isolated. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 6 people aged 60+ experience some form of abuse globally—and India’s numbers are rising, especially in property-related cases .

The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 exists to protect elders, but enforcement remains weak. Many victims—like Kumar—fear social stigma or retaliation if they report abuse.

Resources like the National Helpline for Senior Citizens (14567) and NGOs such as [INTERNAL_LINK:elder-care-india] offer support, but awareness is still critically low.

If convicted under Section 302 (murder), Geeta could face:

  • Life imprisonment (minimum 14 years)
  • Potential death penalty if the court deems it “rarest of rare”
  • Additional penalties under elder abuse provisions

Given the brutality—sitting on a 72-year-old’s chest until he stopped breathing—prosecutors are likely to push for the harshest sentence possible.

Public and Social Media Outrage

News of the Delhi daughter-in-law murder case has triggered nationwide condemnation. Hashtags like #JusticeForNareshKumar and #StopElderAbuse are trending across X (Twitter) and Instagram.

Retired defense personnel have held silent protests outside Delhi Police headquarters, calling for faster justice and stronger elder protection laws. “He served the nation. He deserved dignity in his final years,” read one placard .

Conclusion: When Family Becomes a Threat

The murder of Naresh Kumar is a sobering reminder that danger doesn’t always come from strangers. Sometimes, it wears the face of someone you trusted—someone you welcomed into your home and family.

As India’s population ages and urban property values soar, cases like this will only multiply unless we strengthen legal safeguards, promote intergenerational dialogue, and treat elder abuse with the seriousness it demands.

For now, a retired IAF hero lies in a grave—killed not in war, but in his own living room over a patch of earth. If that doesn’t wake us up, what will?

Sources

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