Ghaziabad: A dispute over unpaid rent took a deadly turn in Ghaziabad’s Raj Nagar Extension, where a 48-year-old woman was allegedly killed by her tenants and her body concealed inside a suitcase, police said on Thursday. The accused, a married couple living in the same housing complex, have been arrested.
The victim, identified as Deepshikha Sharma, was a schoolteacher and co-owner of two apartments in the Aura Chimera residential society. She lived in one flat with her husband, while the second had been rented out to Ajay Gupta and his wife, Akriti Gupta. Investigators said the couple had not paid rent for several months, prompting Deepshikha to visit their apartment to demand the dues.
According to police, Deepshikha went to the tenants’ flat on Wednesday when her husband was away. When she failed to return after several hours, concern grew among family members and domestic help. Her maid, Meena, attempted to locate her and questioned the tenant couple, whose responses appeared evasive.
Suspicion deepened after CCTV footage from the building showed Deepshikha entering the Guptas’ flat but never coming out. The situation escalated when the couple were seen attempting to leave the premises with a large suitcase. They had arranged transport but were stopped by the maid, who insisted they remain until Deepshikha was found.
Police were alerted and a search of the rented apartment was conducted. Officers discovered Deepshikha’s body stuffed inside a suitcase, confirming fears that she had been killed inside the flat. Preliminary findings suggest that an argument broke out over the rent, during which she was struck on the head with a household object and later strangled.
Senior police officials said a formal complaint has been filed by the victim’s family and a case has been registered under relevant sections of the law. The accused are currently in custody and further investigation is underway to establish the full sequence of events.
Residents of the society expressed shock over the incident, describing Deepshikha as a quiet and responsible neighbour. Police said additional evidence, including forensic reports, will be crucial in strengthening the case against the accused.
