No children, yet claimed their son was abroad:Bhopal double murder probe reveals couple shot from 5–7 feet

The lives of elderly couple Hemant Barik and Shakuntala Barik, who lived in Sudama Nagar Colony, Bhopal, appeared calm but were shrouded in mystery. On 26 June, their decomposed bodies were found inside their home, shocking the neighbourhood. As the police investigation progressed, details about the couple’s lives emerged, making the double murder even more mysterious. Son they spoke about never existed The most startling revelation came when police questioned neighbours. The colony believed Hemant and Shakuntala had a son living abroad because the couple had told everyone so. However, when relatives arrived after the murders, Hemant’s sister-in-law Shivani revealed they had no children. Family members said the couple struggled with the pain of childlessness, which worsened with age and often led to disputes between them. Couple kept their distance from neighbours Residents of Sudama Nagar described the couple as quiet but unsociable. Neighbours said they rarely interacted with anyone and stayed away from social gatherings. A neighbour recalled that Hemant would get angry if children’s balls accidentally landed in his house. Over time, his contact with people in the area almost ended, and he mostly remained indoors. Now the biggest question – why did they create a false story about their son? A big question before the investigating agencies is also why the couple told people that their son lives abroad. Was this just an attempt to avoid social pressure, or was there some other reason hidden behind it? Police are investigating this aspect. They are trying to find out if this has any connection with the murder. Property worth two crores also under investigation Police are investigating every possible reason behind the murder, including property disputes. It is being said that the couple had property worth about two crore rupees. Therefore, this angle is also at the centre of the investigation, whether the property became the reason for this murder. Students living on rent also questioned Six teams of the Crime Branch and about 30 experts are working on this case. Three empty cartridges of a country-made pistol have been found from the crime scene. CCTV footage from the surrounding areas is being scanned, students living on rent are being questioned, and statements of relatives are also being recorded. Doctors estimate that the couple was shot from a distance of 5 to 7 feet. Currently, the police are trying to connect every aspect to solve the mystery of this double murder. The question is not just who the killer is, but also why an elderly couple kept the biggest truth of their lives hidden from the world.