An Assistant Professor from Delhi University’s Shivaji College, identified as 43-year-old Devosmita Paul, was found dead inside her apartment in Vasundhara Enclave on June 4, the same day she was scheduled
to appear for a promotion interview, according to Hindustan Times.
In the hours leading up to her death, the victim had sent medicines to her mother and was not responding to calls later in the day, according to HT. A colleague also said she did not turn up for her promotion interview scheduled for Thursday.
No Response To Calls, Door Mysteriously Locked
The incident came to light after her sister, Devarati Paul (49), received no response despite repeated attempts to contact her. Devarati, who lives in Mayur Vihar, informed police that her sister was living alone in a flat at Satyam Apartment.
According to police, the sister then reached the residence but found it locked from the outside, which is one of the most mysterious parts of the case.
Also Read: Locked Flat, Unanswered Questions: Mystery Deepens In Delhi University Professor’s Murder Case
After alerting local residents and the residents’ welfare association (RWA), the lock was broken in their presence, and Devosmita Paul was found lying dead inside the apartment.
A PCR call was received at New Ashok Nagar Police Station at around 2:35 pm.
“Suspecting something untoward, she arrived at her sister’s flat and found it locked from the outside. She broke open the lock and found her sister dead on the floor,” Deputy commissioner of police (east) Rajiv Kumar told HT.
No Immediate Signs Of Forced Entry: Police
Police said there were no immediate signs of forced entry at the flat, hinting that the killer might have been known to her. The victim had been living alone for the past four to five years and mostly depended on online delivery services, according to reports.
A crime team and forensic experts were called to the spot, where a detailed inspection was carried out. The videography of the scene was conducted, and forensic samples and exhibits were collected. Police later registered a case under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Investigators are now examining CCTV footage from the apartment complex and surrounding areas, and collecting details of persons who may have visited the flat in the days preceding the incident. Police are also scrutinising phone records, personal and professional contacts, and delivery-related details as part of the probe.
Divorce Proceeding Underway
Senior police officers said Devosmita Paul had earlier worked as an ad hoc professor at another Delhi University college before being appointed as an assistant professor at Shivaji College in 2023.
She was also undergoing divorce proceedings, which had been ongoing for the past four years after separating from her Bengaluru-based husband, HT reported.
Multiple police teams have been formed to trace and apprehend the offender. Officials said all possible leads are being examined as part of the investigation.
