The Delhi Diwali Murders: How Greed Turned Celebration to Tragedy | True Crime Documentary EP 196
Human vices have long been recognized as powerful forces that can lead individuals down dangerous paths. In October 2014, a case emerged in Delhi, India that tragically illustrated the disastrous consequences when criminal minds act on their darkest impulses. What began as a festive Diwali celebration in the picturesque city of Dehradun turned into a nightmare when two friends, Mum Das and Ajit Paul, mysteriously disappeared, prompting their worried families to file missing person reports.
The investigation quickly uncovered suspicious circumstances, including the simultaneous deactivation of both victims' phones on October 23rd, coinciding with Diwali celebrations. Police attention focused on an unknown individual named Raju Das after discovering his number was the last one called by Ajit before disappearing. As Delhi police coordinated with authorities in Dehradun, the tragic discovery of Ajit Paul's body confirmed the worst fears of the families, while Mum Das remained missing and the mysterious Raju Das became the primary suspect in a case that would soon reveal the darker side of human nature.
Key Takeaways
Two friends disappeared during a Diwali trip to Dehradun, setting off a complex multi-jurisdictional investigation across several Indian cities.
Police discovered a suspicious connection to an individual named Raju Das whose phone was deactivated on the same day the victims disappeared.
The investigation took a tragic turn when authorities identified Ajit Paul's body while continuing their pursuit of the primary suspect.
Human Weaknesses and the Case Analysis
The Five Major Adversaries: Desire, Rage, Connection, Avarice, and Pride
Human beings struggle with several inherent weaknesses that can lead them astray when these negative influences dominate their decision-making. These five primary adversaries—desire, rage, connection, avarice, and pride—represent the most dangerous tendencies that can corrupt human behavior. When individuals succumb to these influences, particularly when desire or greed becomes overwhelming, they may find themselves making increasingly harmful choices.
Each of these adversaries operates as a powerful internal force:
Desire/Lust: Drives impulsive and sometimes harmful pleasure-seeking behaviors
Rage/Anger: Clouds judgment and promotes violent or vengeful actions
Connection/Attachment: Creates unhealthy dependencies and fear-based decisions
Avarice/Greed: Fosters excessive material pursuit at others' expense
Pride/Ego: Leads to self-importance overriding moral considerations
The dominance of any of these forces can result in devastating consequences, as rational thought becomes subordinated to primitive impulses.
Murder Case Examination: The Disappearance in Delhi
In late October 2014, a father named Munal Krishna Das reported his daughter Mum Das and her friend Ajit Paul missing at the Saket Police Station in Delhi, India. The two friends had been unreachable for six days after traveling to Dehradun, a scenic city in the state of Uttarakhand approximately 160 miles from Delhi.
Police immediately began investigating by obtaining call records for both missing individuals. Their analysis revealed that Ajit had repeatedly contacted a number belonging to someone named Raju Das on October 23, 2014—the same day both Mum and Ajit's phones went offline. Suspiciously, Raju's phone had also been deactivated at precisely the same time.
Key details about the missing individuals:
Mum Das: 27 years old, worked as a teacher, originally from Kalyani, West Bengal
Ajit Paul: 24 years old, artist, from Dumdum area in Kolkata, West Bengal
Both lived together in a rented apartment in Sarai, Delhi
The investigation took a crucial turn when police discovered Mum's phone had been reactivated on October 24 with a new SIM card registered to someone named Mohan Das. This number was currently being used by the mysterious Raju Das—the second time his name appeared in the investigation.
Delhi police, accompanied by relatives of the missing persons, traveled to various police stations in Dehradun searching for information. At the Purola Police Station, they were shown photographs of an unidentified body recently discovered in their jurisdiction. Ajit's cousin Jayant Paul immediately recognized the deceased as Ajit.
Following an informant's tip, police positioned themselves along a route to Vikas Nagar in Dehradun. They intercepted a Bolero vehicle with license plate number UK07 TA7000 916, apprehending the driver who was confirmed to be Raju Das—the primary person of interest in the investigation.
The Vanishing of Meeta Das and Ajit Paul
Police Report Filed at Saket Station
On October 29, 2014, Munal Krishna Das visited the Saket police station in Delhi to report his daughter Meeta Das and her friend Ajit Paul missing. These two individuals had been unreachable for six days after traveling to Dehradun, a picturesque city in Uttarakhand state. The Saket police, recognizing the urgency of the situation, initiated immediate action. Simultaneously, Ajit's parents had filed a separate missing person report at the Dum Dum police station in Kolkata.
Meeta, 27, worked as a teacher, while Ajit, 24, pursued a career as an artist. They shared an apartment in Sarai, Delhi, and had developed a close friendship over time. The pair had traveled to Dehradun on October 21, 2014, to celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights, which fell on October 23 that year.
Investigation and Call Records Analysis
The police first examined the call records of both missing persons. Their analysis revealed that Ajit had made several calls to a particular number on October 23, 2014, with his final call directed to this same contact. After this communication, both Meeta and Ajit's phones were switched off permanently.
The number belonged to someone named Raju Das, whose phone had also been deactivated on the exact same day – October 23. This suspicious timing raised immediate concerns for investigators. When questioned, Meeta's parents confirmed they had never heard their daughter mention anyone named Raju Das.
Further investigation uncovered something unusual about Meeta's phone. Though initially powered off on October 23, the device's International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number showed it had been reactivated the following day with a new SIM card. This SIM was registered to someone named Mohan Das, but police discovered it was actually being used by the same Raju Das connected to the earlier calls.
The Curious Case of Raju Das's Inactive Phone
The simultaneous deactivation of three phones – Meeta's, Ajit's, and Raju's – on October 23 created a significant investigative lead. Delhi police, accompanied by Ajit's cousin Joyant Paul and Meeta's brother Mirun Das, traveled to various police stations in Dehradun seeking information.
At the Purola police station, they were shown photographs of an unidentified body recently discovered in their jurisdiction. Ajit's cousin immediately recognized the deceased as Ajit Paul. This confirmed the tragic fate of one missing person, but Meeta's whereabouts remained unknown.
While at the Purola station, Delhi police received crucial intelligence that Raju Das was traveling toward Vikas Nagar in a Bolero vehicle with license plate UK07TA7000916. Officers positioned themselves along the route and intercepted the vehicle. The driver's identification confirmed he was indeed Raju Das – the mysterious figure connected to both missing persons. Police took him into custody for questioning immediately.
Parallel Events and Contextual Backgrounds
Missing Person Investigation in Kolkata
On October 29, 2014, Munal Krishna Das visited the Saket police station in Delhi to report his daughter Mum Das and her friend Ajit Paul missing. Both had disappeared six days earlier while traveling to Dehradun. Simultaneously, 914 miles away in Kolkata, Ajit's parents had filed a separate missing person report at the Dum Dum police station.
The Delhi police immediately began investigating by obtaining call records for both missing individuals. They discovered that Ajit had repeatedly called a particular number on October 23, 2014, which was his last outgoing call. This number belonged to someone named Raju Das, whose phone had also been switched off since October 23—the same day both Mum and Ajit's phones went offline.
Further investigation revealed that Mum's phone, despite being initially switched off on October 23, had been reactivated with a new SIM card on October 24. This SIM card was registered to Mohand Das but was being used by someone named Raju Das—the second time his name appeared in the investigation.
Geographical Connections Between Delhi and Dehradun
Delhi, India's capital, serves as a significant political center and union territory. Dehradun, positioned 160 miles from Delhi in Uttarakhand state, is renowned for its pleasant climate and natural landscapes, making it a popular destination for tourists. These two locations became central points in the unfolding investigation.
The Delhi police, accompanied by Ajit's cousin Joyant Paul and Mum's brother Mirun Das, traveled to Dehradun. Their search led them from Vikas Nagar police station to Chakrata station, and finally to Purola police station, where they learned about an unidentified body recently discovered.
At Purola station, when shown photographs of the unidentified body and associated items, Joyant Paul immediately recognized his cousin Ajit. This confirmed Ajit's death, but Mum's whereabouts remained unknown.
The Victims' Profiles and Personal Connection
Victim Details:
Name Age Hometown Occupation Mum Das 27 Kalani, West Bengal School Teacher Ajit Paul 24 Dum Dum, Kolkata Artist
Both victims originally came from locations in West Bengal approximately 28 miles apart—about an hour's travel distance. Though from different towns, they shared a rented apartment in Sarai, Delhi, due to their work commitments.
Mum worked as a teacher while Ajit pursued his career as an artist. Their friendship had grown considerably over time, and they often spent evenings together after work. To celebrate Diwali (October 23, 2014), they planned a trip to Dehradun, arriving there on October 21, 2014.
For the first two days, they explored local attractions and maintained regular contact with their families. However, on Diwali day itself, both their phones were suddenly switched off, marking the beginning of their disappearance and their families' growing anxiety.
The Fateful Diwali Trip to Dehradun
In October 2014, two friends from Delhi decided to celebrate Diwali in the scenic city of Dehradun, located in Uttarakhand. Mum Das, 27, working as a teacher, and Ajit Paul, 24, an artist, shared an apartment in Sarai, Delhi, though they originally hailed from West Bengal.
The pair arrived in Dehradun on October 21st, excited to spend the festival in the beautiful hill station. They spent the first two days exploring the area, faithfully checking in with their families each evening from their rented accommodations.
However, on Diwali day itself - October 23rd, 2014 - both their phones suddenly went silent. Initially, their families assumed this was due to battery issues or poor reception. As hours turned into days with no contact, worry transformed into panic.
By October 29th, Mum's father Munal Krishna Das filed a missing person report at the Saket Police Station in Delhi. Ajit's family had already registered a similar report at the Dum Dum Police Station in Kolkata.
The Delhi police began investigating immediately, obtaining call records for both missing individuals. They discovered Ajit had repeatedly called a number belonging to someone named Raju Das on October 23rd - the same day both their phones went offline. Curiously, Raju's phone had also been switched off that very day.
A breakthrough came when police learned Mum's phone had been reactivated on October 24th with a new SIM card. This card was registered to Mohan Das but was being used by someone named Raju Das - the second time this name had appeared in their investigation.
Delhi police, accompanied by Mum's brother Mirun and Ajit's cousin Joyant, traveled to Dehradun, visiting multiple police stations in search of information. At the Purola Police Station, they were shown photographs of an unidentified body found days earlier.
Joyant Paul immediately recognized his cousin Ajit in the photographs. While this confirmed the tragic fate of one missing person, Mum's whereabouts remained unknown, and the circumstances of Ajit's death still required investigation.
Acting on information from an informant, police learned that Raju Das was traveling toward Vikas Nagar in a Bolero vehicle with license plate number UK07TA7000916. Officers positioned themselves along the route and successfully intercepted the vehicle, taking Raju Das into custody for questioning.
The Investigation Deepens
Piecing Together the Clues of Deactivated Devices
The sudden silence from both Mum Das and Ajit Paul's phones on October 23rd, 2014 – Diwali day – immediately raised red flags for investigators. Delhi police noted a critical pattern: three phones had gone offline simultaneously that day. Not only were the missing friends' devices deactivated, but a previously unknown number belonging to someone named Raju Das had also gone dark at precisely the same time. This striking coincidence became a central focus of the investigation.
When questioned, Mum's parents confirmed they had never heard their daughter mention anyone named Raju Das. This added another layer of mystery to the case. Who was this person whose number Ajit had called repeatedly on the day they disappeared? The investigation now stretched across multiple jurisdictions, with police in Delhi and Kolkata simultaneously searching for the missing friends.
Tracing and Reactivation of Mum Das's Phone
The investigation took a significant turn when Delhi police discovered Mum's phone had been reactivated on October 24th, 2014 – just one day after it was initially switched off. By tracking the device's International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number, investigators determined the phone was now being used with a new SIM card.
This new SIM card was registered to someone named Mohan Das. When police located Mohan Das, they made a crucial discovery – the number was currently being used by none other than Raju Das. This marked the second appearance of Raju's name in the investigation, cementing his status as a person of interest.
Following this lead, Delhi police traveled to Uttarakhand, accompanied by Ajit's cousin Joyant Paul and Mum's brother Mirun Das. Their journey took them from Vikas Nagar police station to Chakrata station, where they received devastating news – an unidentified body had recently been found in the Purola police jurisdiction.
At the Purola police station, officers showed them photographs of the body and recovered items. Ajit's cousin immediately identified the deceased as Ajit Paul. While this answered one painful question, Mum Das's whereabouts remained unknown and the question of who was responsible for Ajit's death loomed large.
Key Investigation Breakthroughs
Police Station Encounter at Vikas Nagar
The Delhi police investigation gained significant momentum when they arrived at the Vikas Nagar police station in Dehradun. Although the officers there couldn't provide immediate information about Mum Das and Aijit Paul, they redirected the Delhi team to Chakrata police station for potential leads. This critical redirection proved invaluable to the case progression.
The Delhi police team, accompanied by Mum's brother Mirun Das and Aijit's cousin Joyant Paul, followed this lead diligently. At Chakrata, they received crucial information that an unidentified body had been discovered days earlier within the jurisdiction of the Purola police station. This information prompted an immediate visit to the Purola station, representing the first concrete development in the missing persons case.
Identifying Aijit Paul's Remains
At the Purola police station, officers shared photographs of the unidentified deceased person along with personal items recovered from the body. Joyant Paul, Aijit's cousin, made the devastating identification—the body belonged to Aijit Paul. This confirmation transformed the missing persons case into a homicide investigation.
While this discovery answered one crucial question, it raised many others. Mum Das remained missing, and the circumstances of Aijit's death remained unclear. However, the investigation took another significant turn when an informant provided details about Raju Das—a person of interest whose phone had gone offline the same day as the victims'.
The informant revealed Raju was traveling toward Vikas Nagar in a Bolero vehicle with license plate number UK07TA7000916. Delhi police strategically positioned themselves along this route and successfully intercepted the vehicle matching the description. Upon checking identification, they confirmed the driver was indeed Raju Das, who was immediately taken into custody for questioning in connection with the case.
The Search for the Missing Duo
The Crucial Tip-Off
At the Pura police station, Delhi police officers received vital intelligence from one of their trusted informants. The informant revealed that Raju Das, the primary suspect in the disappearance case, was traveling toward Vikas Nagar in Dehradun. The suspect was reportedly driving a Bolero vehicle with the license plate number UK07TA7000916. This information was particularly significant as Raju's name had appeared twice during their investigation - first when they discovered he was the last person Ait Paul had called before disappearing, and later when they found Mita's phone was being used with a new SIM card registered to someone connected to Raju.
Armed with this critical tip, the Delhi police immediately positioned themselves along the route to Vikas Nagar. They established a strategic checkpoint and prepared to intercept the suspect, hoping this would finally provide answers about the missing friends.
The Capture Operation
After a brief period of surveillance, the officers spotted a Bolero vehicle approaching their checkpoint. The license plate matched exactly with the information provided by their informant. Police promptly stopped the vehicle and detained the driver for questioning. Upon checking his identification documents, they confirmed the man was indeed Raju Das - the person they had been trying to locate for days.
The Delhi police took Raju Das into custody and began their interrogation immediately. Their first action was to show Raju the photograph of Ait Paul's recovered body. This marked a significant breakthrough in the case that had begun on October 29th, 2014, when Munal Krishna Das reported his daughter Mita and her friend Ait missing after they had traveled to Dehradun for Diwali celebrations.
The apprehension of Raju Das represented a crucial development in solving the mystery behind Ait Paul's death and determining Mita Das's whereabouts. With the primary suspect now in custody, investigators hoped to uncover the full truth about what had happened to the two friends who had disappeared on October 23rd.
Results and Case Resolution
The investigation of Mum Das and Ait Paul's disappearance culminated in a significant breakthrough when Delhi police intercepted Raju Das. Authorities strategically positioned themselves along a route to Vikas Nagar after receiving intelligence about Raju's movements in a Bolero car with license plate UK07 TA7000 916. This tactical operation proved successful as they apprehended the suspect who had been eluding them since October 23, 2014.
The discovery of Ait Paul's body at the Pura police station marked a tragic turning point in the case. His cousin Joyant Paul positively identified him from photographs shown by local authorities. This confirmation transformed the missing persons case into a homicide investigation, with Raju Das as the primary suspect.
The investigation revealed several critical connections:
Both victims' phones and Raju's phone went offline on the same day (October 23, 2014)
Ait had repeatedly called Raju's number on the day of disappearance
Mum's phone was reactivated with a new SIM registered to Mohan Das but used by Raju
The timeline aligned with the Diwali festival when the victims had traveled to Dehradun
Police coordination across multiple jurisdictions proved essential to the case resolution. Authorities from Delhi, Dehradun and Kolkata collaborated effectively, tracking the suspect across significant distances until his eventual capture. While Ait's fate was tragically confirmed, questions still remained about Mum Das's whereabouts as the investigation continued with Raju Das in custody.
