Udaipur elderly couple killed, looted, bodies stuffed in trunk; 5 arrested

The Udaipur police have arrested five people in connection with the murder of an elderly couple whose bodies were found hidden inside an iron trunk at their home in Rajasthan.Police said the alleged mastermind was the couple's neighbour, who had planned the robbery after learning that the elderly man lent money on interest and was believed to keep cash.The accused allegedly killed the couple while they were asleep, stole cash and jewellery, wrapped their bodies in plastic and tape, and concealed them inside a large iron trunk before placing bedding over it.A Grand Vitara, used by the accused to travel to the area and conduct reconnaissance, has also been recovered. Police have launched a search for another accused, Vikas, who is believed to be in Gujarat. COUPLE REPORTED MISSINGOn August 12, Dhuliram, resident of Udaipur, approached the police after his elder brother, Lahrilal Paliwal, 70, and sister-in-law Radhabai, 67, went missing from their home.The main door of the house had been left open and both their mobile phones were switched off. Police registered a missing person report and began searching for the couple. Two days later, on August 14, their bodies were found concealed inside a large iron trunk in their own home.Given the nature of the crime, police collected evidence with the help of forensic experts, the MOB team, dog squad and cyber team.NEIGHBOUR PLANNED ROBBERYPolice investigation identified the couple's neighbour, Kushal Paliwal, as the mastermind behind the crime.According to the police, Kushal knew that Lahrilal lent money on interest and that the elderly couple lived alone. Investigators said he had been planning to rob the house for around a year to a year-and-a-half.Police said Kushal, who was under financial strain and struggling to repay loans taken from individuals and banks, wanted money to clear his debts and maintain what investigators described as a lavish lifestyle.He roped in Chandan Yadav, Vikas Kharwad and Dilip Chaudhary, who were based in Gujarat, into the plan.Udaipur SP Amrita Duhan said the accused had conducted reconnaissance of the couple's home and monitored their daily routine several times before carrying out the crime.Police also alleged that two others, Kishan Paliwal and Jeevan Paliwal, helped the group gather information about the couple and gain access to the house.TWO DAYS OF RECONNAISSANCEThe accused allegedly arrived in the area on August 9 in a Gujarat-registered Grand Vitara and carried out a recce.The following day, Kushal and Chandan visited the elderly couple's home. As Kushal was their neighbour, Radhabai allowed them inside and even served them a meal, police said.However, the accused allegedly did not find an opportunity to commit the crime and left.They returned the next day but found the house locked and again failed to execute their plan, according to the police.The group then decided to break into the house at night with the help of Kishan and Jeevan.Police said Kishan and Jeevan went to the couple's home on a pretext and helped facilitate Kushal's entry. Kushal then remained hidden inside the house and later called his accomplices.COUPLE KILLED WHILE ASLEEPAfter Lahrilal and Radhabai had gone to sleep, the four main accused entered the house.Police said Lahrilal was attacked and killed first, following which Radhabai was also murdered.The accused allegedly stole cash and jewellery before wrapping the bodies in plastic and tape and placing them inside a large iron trunk. Bedding was then placed over the trunk in an attempt to hide the bodies.Investigators said the accused also took away the couple's mobile phones and later discarded them along a highway to destroy evidence and mislead the investigation.The couple's slippers were also removed from the house to create the impression that they had left the premises, police said.FIVE ARRESTED, ONE ACCUSED STILL WANTEDPolice have arrested Kushal alias Khushi Paliwal, 26; Chandan Yadav, 27; Dilip Chaudhary, 30; Kishan Paliwal, 21, and Jeevan Paliwal, 21, all living in Surat.A police team has been sent to Gujarat to trace Vikas, who is also alleged to have been involved in the robbery and murders.Police are continuing their investigation and questioning the arrested accused about the stolen items, the weapons or materials used in the crime, and other evidence linked to the case.- EndsPublished On: Aug 27, 2026 19:12 IST