Udaipur: The investigation into the killing of an elderly couple whose bodies were found stuffed inside a trunk at their home in Poonawali village of Gogunda has gained momentum, with police detaining four suspects for questioning.

The incident has triggered anger and fear among villagers, with family members and residents staging a protest outside the mortuary of Maharana Bhupal Hospital in Udaipur since Saturday morning. The protesters are demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible for the deaths.

Police officials have been trying to pacify the family members and villagers, while a special team is working to identify and apprehend the accused. Police said important clues have emerged during the investigation and the case is expected to be solved soon.

SP Says Investigation Underway

Udaipur Superintendent of Police Dr Amrita Duhan said a dog squad was deployed at the crime scene and the entire area was examined. Police also carried out photography and videography to preserve evidence.

A special team has been constituted to investigate the case and arrest the accused. Four suspects have so far been detained and are being questioned.

Police said the exact cause and circumstances of death would become clearer after the post-mortem examination and further forensic investigation.

Couple Had Been Missing for Three Days

The victims have been identified as Lahri Lal Paliwal, 65, and his wife Radha Devi, 62, residents of Poonawali village under Sayra police station.

The couple had reportedly been missing for three days before their bodies were discovered inside a trunk at their house on Friday. According to police and family members, the bodies were found wrapped in polythene.

Lahri Lal used to sell milk. When he failed to turn up for his usual milk delivery on Wednesday morning, a neighbour went to his house. The door was open, but the couple was nowhere to be found.

The neighbour subsequently informed their son Manohar, who works in Rajkot. Family members and villagers searched for the couple at relatives' houses and nearby areas before a missing-person report was lodged at Sayra police station.

According to Manohar, he had spoken to his mother over the phone on Tuesday night. The following morning, the family learnt that both his parents were missing.

Villagers had also approached the police the previous day, demanding that the elderly couple be traced at the earliest. On Friday, their bodies were found inside the trunk at their own residence.

Villagers Demand Immediate Arrests

Following the recovery of the bodies, relatives and villagers objected to the bodies being taken for post-mortem and demanded immediate action against the culprits.

Police officials reached the spot and assured the villagers that every possible effort was being made to identify and arrest those responsible. The bodies were subsequently shifted to the MB Hospital mortuary in Udaipur for post-mortem examination.

However, tension remained at the hospital on Saturday as family members and villagers continued their protest, insisting that the accused be arrested before the bodies are taken for further procedures.

Previous Robbery Also Raises Concern

Villagers have also raised questions over an earlier robbery in the same village that, according to them, remains unsolved.

Deputy Sarpanch Yogesh Paliwal said that on the night of July 4 last year, unidentified armed men allegedly entered the house of Mangilal Purohit, held the family hostage and looted cash and jewellery.

Villagers claim that the earlier robbery has not yet been solved. They said the latest incident has further increased fear among residents and demanded that police solve both cases.

Police are currently questioning the four detained suspects and examining evidence collected from the crime scene. Investigators are also expected to analyse forensic findings, post-mortem reports and other technical evidence before establishing the sequence of events and identifying those responsible.

With four suspects in custody and several leads under investigation, police are now working to establish the motive and circumstances behind the deaths of the elderly couple.