The Tandoor Murder Case: A Chilling Tale of Crime and Justice
Criminal psychology is a realm where the limits of human behaviour often blur, and today’s story is a testament to how far someone can go under the influence of suspicion and rage. The infamous Tandoor murder case of 1995 shocked an entire nation, not just for the gruesome nature of the crime but for the intricate web of deceit, insecurity, and abuse behind it.
The Night of the Incident
On the night of July 2, 1995, Constable Abdul Nazir Kunju and Home Guard Chandrapal were conducting routine night patrols near Connaught Place in New Delhi. As they turned towards Ashoka Road, they noticed thick smoke billowing from a building. Upon approaching, they found the source to be a restaurant. The establishment was closed at that hour, so they inquired with the guard stationed there.
A man, later identified as Sushil Sharma, emerged and explained that some waste materials were being burned inside, assuring them it would soon subside. Reassured, the officers moved on. Moments later, however, a woman’s frantic cries of “Fire! Fire!” drew them back to the scene. Flames now engulfed the restaurant, spilling outwards with intensity.
The officers immediately called for backup and informed the fire department. Attempting to extinguish the fire, they found the main entrance locked from the inside. With the help of the guard, Kunju and Chandrapal scaled a wall to enter the premises. What they discovered sent chills down their spines.
Two men were stoking a large tandoor oven, feeding it paper and wooden pieces. One was the restaurant manager, Keshav, and the other was Sushil Sharma—the man they had encountered earlier. When questioned, Sushil dismissed their concerns, claiming he was burning old political documents. However, Constable Kunju’s instincts kicked in as he caught the unmistakable smell of burning flesh emanating from the tandoor.
Upon closer inspection, they doused the fire and discovered human intestines hanging outside the oven, with a partially burned human body inside. The heat had charred the skin off the bones, releasing a horrifying stench. By the time backup arrived, Sushil Sharma had fled, leaving Keshav to face immediate arrest.
The Victim and the Suspect
News of a human body found in a restaurant’s tandoor dominated headlines the next morning. An individual named Matloob Karim came forward, claiming the body belonged to Naina Sahni, Sushil Sharma’s wife. The police began investigating Sushil, a prominent figure and political worker, as the prime suspect. However, he had gone into hiding.
Nine days later, Delhi Police received information that Sushil had surrendered to the Bangalore police. Despite initially denying his involvement, eyewitness testimonies from Kunju and Chandrapal placed him at the crime scene. Under relentless interrogation, Sushil finally confessed to the murder, unraveling the events of that fateful night.
The Crime Unveiled
On July 2, 1995, Sushil Sharma returned to his flat in Delhi’s Gol Market to find his wife, Naina, on a phone call with a drink in hand. She abruptly ended the call upon seeing him and retreated to their bedroom. Suspicious and fueled by alcohol, Sushil used the redial button to trace the last number dialed. The call connected to Matloob Karim, Naina’s former boyfriend. Sushil, already insecure about their relationship, flew into a rage.
Confronting Naina, he accused her of infidelity. The argument escalated, and in a fit of uncontrolled anger, Sushil retrieved a gun from a drawer and shot her. Panic-stricken, he decided to dispose of the body by burning it in the restaurant’s tandoor.
The Backstory
Sushil Sharma and Naina Sahni’s relationship was fraught with issues from the beginning. Naina, a Sikh, had been in love with Matloob Karim, a Muslim, during their college days. Due to familial pressure, the two couldn’t marry, and Matloob eventually wed someone else. Heartbroken and vulnerable, Naina found solace in Sushil, who appeared supportive at the time. They married, but the relationship soon turned toxic.
Sushil’s dominant and abusive nature began to surface. Naina’s calls to Matloob for emotional support only fueled Sushil’s insecurities. Despite her efforts to leave the marriage and start afresh—even planning to move to Australia—her attempts were met with hostility and violence. Sushil’s paranoia eventually culminated in murder.
The Trial and Aftermath
Sushil Sharma’s arrest led to a lengthy trial, during which the horrifying details of the crime came to light. The case wasn’t just about a crime of passion; it exposed the deeply ingrained issues of abuse, power dynamics, and unchecked rage. In 2003, Sushil was sentenced to death by the Delhi High Court. However, his sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment by the Supreme Court in 2013, citing his good conduct in jail.
Sushil Sharma was eventually released from Tihar Jail in December 2018 after serving 22 years. His release reignited debates about whether justice had truly been served in such a heinous crime.
A Case That Shook the Nation
The Tandoor murder case remains one of the most chilling criminal cases in India’s history. It serves as a grim reminder of the destructive power of unchecked emotions and abusive relationships.
What do you think? Was 22 years of imprisonment a fair punishment for such a crime, or should the death sentence have been upheld? Share your thoughts in the comments below. For more such intriguing crime stories, subscribe to our blog!
