The Chilling Tale of the Tandoor Murder Case in Delhi

A Night of Horror in Delhi

July 2, 1995 Gol Market, New Delhi Government Flat No. 8/2A 8:30 PM

Gunshots suddenly echoed from Government Flat No. 8/2A, leading neighbors to believe that firecrackers were being set off.

After a brief silence, the flat's door swung open. A man emerged, dragging a heavy object wrapped in plastic. He placed it in the trunk of a car parked outside and sped away.

The car stopped near Ashok Yatri Niwas in Connaught Place, close to a restaurant where diners were still enjoying their meals. The man, who was none other than Sushil Sharma, the President of the Delhi Youth Congress, approached the restaurant manager, Keshav.

The Tandoor Murder Case Unfolds
This incident marked the beginning of the infamous Tandoor Murder Case. Sushil Sharma was deeply involved in party activities when he met Naina Sahni, leading to their marriage. Naina, a graduate from DU, had also obtained a commercial pilot's license, while Sushil was appointed as the Youth Congress president.

Suspicion Brews
Over time, tensions grew between Sushil and Naina. Sushil became suspicious of Naina's phone conversations, believing she was having an affair. Their arguments escalated, and Naina began contemplating her future as a pilot, planning a trip to Australia.

On the fateful night of July 2, 1995, Naina was on the phone, holding a glass of vodka when Sushil returned home.

Naina offered Sushil a drink, but he declined, consumed by jealousy over her phone call. When Naina left the room, Sushil seized the opportunity to check her phone, discovering a call from a man named Matloob Karim, whom he suspected of being Naina's lover.

Confrontation and Murder
Furious, Sushil confronted Naina about her relationship with Matloob. Naina's dismissive response ignited Sushil's rage. He retrieved a pistol, firing four shots at Naina, hitting her in the head and neck. As she collapsed, Sushil's mind spiraled into chaos, prompting him to dispose of her body.

Disposing of the Body
By 10 PM, Sushil wrapped Naina's body in a bedsheet and loaded it into his Maruti 800. He initially intended to discard it at Nizamuddin's Yamuna Bridge but, overwhelmed by traffic, he changed course and drove to his restaurant.

Upon arrival, Sushil instructed Keshav to close the restaurant and dim the lights. However, the tandoor was still burning, a common sight in the area. What transpired next was unprecedented.

With only Keshav present, Sushil began dismembering Naina's body using restaurant knives, placing the pieces into the tandoor. To intensify the flames, Sushil added butter, which inadvertently drew the attention of a nearby vegetable vendor, Anaro.

Believing a fire had broken out, Anaro raised an alarm, catching the attention of a police officer, Abdul Nazir Gunjoo, who rushed to the scene.

Upon arrival, Sushil had already fled. Keshav attempted to cover up the situation, claiming he was burning old Congress posters. However, suspicions arose, leading to an investigation.

The Aftermath
The gruesome nature of the crime shocked the city, prompting a manhunt for Sushil. He eventually surrendered on July 10, 1995. Following a thorough investigation, Sushil was sentenced to death on November 7, 2003, while Keshav received a seven-year sentence for his involvement.

Sushil was briefly released on parole in 2015 and was ultimately freed in December 2018 after serving 23 years. His current whereabouts remain unknown to all but a few close to him.