Fatal Attack in Central Delhi
A 22-year-old pregnant woman was fatally stabbed on the night of Saturday, October 18, 2025, in Delhi’s Nabi Karim-Qutub Road area, police said. The victim, identified as Shalini, was attacked by her former live-in partner, Aashu alias Shailendra (34), after she had returned to her husband, Aakash (23). The husband intervened, overpowered Aashu and fatally stabbed him, leading to the death of two people on site, according to the Delhi Police.
The Sequence of Events
Police said the attack took place at around 10:15 p.m. IST on October 18, when Shalini and Aakash were travelling in an e-rickshaw to meet Shalini’s mother, along with their two young daughters. Aashu reportedly appeared suddenly at the scene, first attempted to stab Aakash, but when that failed, turned his knife on Shalini, stabbing her multiple times while she sat in the e-rickshaw. Aakash sustained stab wounds when he rushed in to protect her, and then retaliated. Doctors declared both Shalini and Aashu dead on arrival at the hospital. Aakash is undergoing treatment.
Context and Motive
According to police investigators, Shalini had earlier separated from Aakash and was living with Aashu in a live-in relationship. She later reconciled with Aakash and returned with her children. Aashu allegedly claimed that Shalini was pregnant with his child and was incensed by her decision to go back to her husband. Police described the incident as a “crime of passion”. Aashu had a criminal record and was listed as a “bad character” at the local police station; Aakash too had past criminal cases.
Police Response and Legal Action
The case has been registered at the Nabi Kaliem (Nabi Karim) Police Station under sections 103(1) (murder) and 109(1) (attempt to murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the police said. The bodies of Shalini and Aashu were sent for post-mortem, and a detailed investigation is under way to reconstruct the exact sequence, motive, and role of all parties including the minor children who witnessed the attack.
Significance and Public Concern
This case of pregnant woman murder in Delhi highlights the dangers posed by unresolved emotional conflicts, domestic violence, and overlapping relationships. That the victim was expecting a child increases the tragedy and raises questions about safety nets for women in vulnerable circumstances. Legal experts say such incidents underscore the need for robust protection for women in live-in arrangements and more prompt police intervention when threats emerge.
Courts and victims’ support agencies say that early warning signs—such as claims of paternity disputes, harassment, and previous criminal behaviour—should trigger protective measures. The presence of children during the attack also sets a traumatic precedent for future interventions.
What It Means for Families and Society
For families: The incident is a stark warning about the risks associated with unstable relationships and the necessity of conflict resolution, counselling, or safe exit strategies when threats escalate.
For society: The crime spotlights how domestic disputes can spill into public violence, underscoring the need for community vigilance in neighborhoods—particularly places like Old Delhi’s densely populated lanes.
For law-enforcement agencies: The case may lead to review of procedures for tracking individuals with “bad-character” tags and for protecting women who re-enter marriages from former partners claiming paternity or custody.
FAQs
The incident took place in the Nabi Karim-Qutub Road area of central New Delhi around 10:15 p.m. IST on October 18, 2025.
The victim was 22-year-old Shalini, pregnant at the time. Her husband, Aakash (23), intervened. The attacker was her former live-in partner, Aashu alias Shailendra (34), who also died in the confrontation.
The police have registered a murder case under sections 103 and 109 of the BNS. Post-mortems are complete for the two deceased; Aakash is receiving medical treatment. A detailed probe into motive, circumstances and criminal history is ongoing.
