Man found dead in drain; family says police delayed informing them
GURUGRAM: A 31-year-old man from Delhi was allegedly murdered in Gurugram over a suspected financial dispute, and his body was subsequently dumped in a drain, police said on Friday. The victim, identified as Yuvraj Singh Manchanda, was reportedly due to be married in October.
According to the police account, Manchanda had left a restaurant in Lajpat Nagar on September 6 after telling his family he needed to attend an urgent meeting in Gurugram with a former colleague. His family said he phoned them later the same evening and said he would be home by 10 pm, but he did not return.
Family alleges gaps in police communication and ZIPNET process
The family filed a missing-person report at Lajpat Nagar police station on September 11 after repeated attempts to contact Manchanda failed. They alleged that Gurugram police had recovered an unidentified body on September 10 but did not inform them. The family also said details of the body were not uploaded to the Zonal Integrated Police Network (ZIPNET) within the required timeframe.
"The body was cremated by authorities on September 14, two days before they informed us about his death," the family said.
Police have described the case as an alleged murder linked to a suspected financial dispute. They said the primary accused are a former colleague of the deceased and her partner. The police account and the family's allegations remain in the record as the investigation continues.
Sequence of events provided by family and police
The reported timeline of key events is as follows:
- September 6 — Manchanda went shopping in Lajpat Nagar and later met family for a meal at Golden Dragon restaurant; he left telling his sisters he had to meet a former colleague in Gurugram.
- September 6, around 7 pm — He spoke to family and said he would be home by 10 pm.
- September 8, 4:16 pm — The family received what they say was Manchanda's final WhatsApp message; his phone was switched off shortly afterwards.
- September 10 — According to the family, Gurugram police recovered a body that they now say was Manchanda's.
- September 11 — The family filed a missing-person report at Lajpat Nagar police station.
- September 14 — The body was cremated by authorities, the family says, and they were informed about the death two days later.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Sept 6 | Left Golden Dragon restaurant for Gurugram meeting |
| Sept 8 | Final WhatsApp message; phone later switched off |
| Sept 10 | Family says Gurugram police recovered an unidentified body |
| Sept 11 | Missing-person complaint filed at Lajpat Nagar police station |
| Sept 14 | Body cremated by authorities, family says |
Investigation status and local implications
Police said the killing was purportedly over a financial dispute and that a former colleague and her partner have been named in the case. Further investigative steps and any charges to be framed will depend on the ongoing probe, officials added.
The family's allegation that the unidentified body was not uploaded to ZIPNET in time and that they were not informed before cremation raises procedural questions. ZIPNET is used by authorities to circulate information about unidentified bodies; timely uploads can help families identify missing persons. The family's claim, if substantiated, could prompt internal inquiries into adherence to protocols for unidentified remains and public notification in the Gurugram police division.
Police and forensic procedures, next-of-kin notifications and the status of any custodial actions against the accused were not detailed in the public account available on Friday. The investigation is under way.
