Love Triangle Behind Delhi Police ACP Son’s Murder: Chargesheet

NEW DELHI: A love triangle, and not a financial dispute as earlier suspected, was the likely motive behind the murder of 26-year-old lawyer Lakshay Chauhan, the son of a Delhi Police ACP who was strangled and thrown into a canal earlier this year, fresh evidence has suggested.
Chauhan, who practised law at Tis Hazari courts, was allegedly murdered by Vikas Swami, a munshi (clerk) at the same court.Police investigation has revealed that Swami was “obsessed” with a typist working at the court and believed Lakshay was romantically involved with her. Consumed by jealousy and rage, Swami hatched a deadly plan and roped in his associates too, according to the chargesheet filed by police at Rohini court.
Swami (23) and another accused, Abhishek (19), have been charged with murder, kidnapping, concealing and causing disappearance of evidence, using a false property mark, criminal conspiracy and common intention.
The murder took place on the intervening night of Jan 22-23 when Chauhan, along with Swami and his friend Abhishek, was travelling to a wedding in Bhiwani, Haryana, in his EcoSport. During their return journey, Chauhan was sitting in the front passenger seat while Swami drove. In Panipat, close to Munak canal, the accused stopped the car and, taking Chauhan by surprise, allegedly strangled him with a piece of cloth. They then allegedly threw his body into the canal before returning to Delhi.
Police launched a search for Chauhan after a ‘missing person’ report was filed by his father, ACP Yash Pal Singh Chauhan. The two accused were arrested on Jan 28.
Swami told police that he was close to a woman working in Tis Hazari courts who assisted lawyers in preparing affidavits, marriage certificates and typing. He suspected Chauhan was also interested in her and resented this.
“On Jan 22, when Chauhan visited a common typist and mentioned that he was going to Bhiwani to attend a wedding, Swami saw an opportunity. He asked Chauhan if he could accompany him and later asked Abhishek to join them,” a police source said.
The three men went to Narela, where Swami and Abhishek got clothes from their houses. Then, they headed to Bhiwani and began their return journey around 1.30am. Under the pretence of visiting his maternal uncle’s house, Swami asked them to take the route via Panipat so that he and Abhishek could execute their plan, the chargesheet stated.
After the murder, the two accused allegedly obtained a fake number plate and continued driving Chauhan’s EcoSport. Later, Swami abandoned the vehicle in an isolated place in Narela. They later led the police to the car and the original number plate.