DU assistant professor murdered at home in east Delhi

NEW DELHI: A 42-year-old assistant professor at Delhi University was found murdered at her apartment in east Delhi's Vasundhara Enclave on Thursday afternoon.

Debosmita Paul taught in the Department of English at Shivaji College. She lived alone in a flat at Satyam Apartment while her parents resided nearby.

Police said a PCR call was received at New Ashok Nagar police station at 2.35pm from the victim's sister, Devarati Paul (49), who reported her sister had been murdered at her residence. "Devarati had been trying to contact Debosmita throughout the day, but her calls went unanswered," a senior police officer said.

DU prof attacked with blunt object
Concerned, she went to the apartment and found the flat locked from outside. Suspecting something was wrong, she broke open the lock and discovered her sister lying dead inside,” the officer added.

A police team rushed to the spot and found the victim on a bed with severe head injuries. Preliminary investigation suggests she was attacked with a blunt object. Cops also found injuries on her hands, indicating that a sharp-edged weapon may also have been used during the assault.

Paul was a well-regarded academic whose areas of interest included partition studies, Indian literature, postcolonial literature and translation studies, according to the official website of the college. She completed her PhD from Jamia Millia Islamia in 2016 and had earlier earned her MPhil from the same institution. She completed her postgraduate studies from Barkatullah University and graduated from Maharaja Agrasen College.

Investigators said at present, robbery did not appear to be the likely motive though it hasn’t been ruled out. “The earrings she was wearing were found intact and no items have been reported missing so far,” another senior police officer added.

Police are also examining the victim’s personal and professional background. Sources said she was undergoing separation-related legal proceedings at Karkardooma Courts.

The victim’s body was shifted to a hospital for preservation and post-mortem examination. Police have registered an FIR under BNS Section 103 (murder) at the New Ashok Nagar police station.