Palwal Murders | Naresh Fell Into Depression While in Army: Kin

My brother was a bhola bhandari (simpleton), he had never beaten anyone. He got mentally ill while he was serving in the army. 

Chandrapal, Naresh Dhankar’s brother

In the early hours of 2 January, Naresh Dhankar went on a murdering spree in Palwal, on the outskirts of Delhi, killing six people using an iron rod. The horrific incident was captured on CCTV footage.

Incidentally, Naresh retired as a lieutenant in the Indian Army in 2002. He served for three years in the armed forces and he was discharged on medical grounds.

Speaking exclusively to The Quint, Chandrapal Dhankar, Naresh’s brother, said his brother wasn’t always like this.

Before he joined the Indian Army, he was perfectly fine. He was a brilliant student. He completed his M.Sc and secured a first class division. 

Chandrapal, Naresh Dhankar’s brother

According to his brother, who retired as a subedar from the army, said after Naresh became a lieutenant, his first posting was in Kalimpong. He suspects that it was during this posting that his brother slipped into depression.

In 2000, prior to his retirement, Naresh underwent treatment for non-organic psychosis in Bagdogra Army Hospital. The doctors declared that he was unfit to serve in the army.

According to Chandrapal, after Naresh returned from the army, he underwent medical treatment for mental illness. Soon after, he got into an accident which further damaged his brain.

We don’t know who hit him that night. I wasn’t at home. All I got to know was that someone had beaten him so badly that he received major head and spine injuries. 

Chandrapal, Naresh Dhankar’s brother

After almost four years of medical treatment after leaving the army, Naresh was declared mentally fit by doctors. In 2006, Naresh joined the Agricultural Department as Agricultural Development Officer in Bhiwani, said Chandrapal.

Since 2006, we never received any complaint against my brother from his office. Though he was under medication, he never misbehaved with outsiders. 

Chandrapal

Troubled Marital Life

Naresh and his wife got married in February 2007. His wife is the daughter of a retired army officer.

Naresh’s in-laws knew about his medical history, we didn’t hide anything from them. Still, they agreed for the marriage, maybe he had a good job. 

Chandrapal

Naresh and his wife lived together for two years. She left him after that and went to live with her parents. The couple has an eight-year-old son. Naresh had abused his wife on a few occasions, said Chandrapal, adding that his wife never cared for him all these years.

The Quint tried to reach out to Naresh’s wife but she refused to speak to us.

What Triggered Naresh to Kill 6 People

Naresh spoke to me on Monday (1 January). He said he is coming back to Palwal from Bhiwani on holiday for a few days. After returning home, he straight away went to his in-laws’ house to meet his wife. But his wife, instead of welcoming him, shut the door on his face, which led to a major fight between him and his in-laws. 

Chandrapal

Chandrapal said that the horrific incident shook the entire family. When they reached the spot, they informed police about his mental illness.

On Tuesday, after the incident of serial killings, Naresh was admitted in the Safdurjung Hospital for brain haemorrhage. So far, it is not clear how he was injured. While police say that Naresh fell in the drain when he tried to run away, the accused’s family suspect he was beaten by the police.

The Quint is putting out Naresh’s brother’s version to understand what led to the incident.