NEW DELHI: Angel Gupta , a 26-year-old model, lived a life that blurred the lines between her on-screen roles and reality. An actress in small films and TV soaps-often revolving around love, deceit, and murder-she brought a real-life crime thriller to life, one that ultimately spiralled out of control.
A chance encounter, a whispered secret, and a sinister plot unfolded. Around winter of 2016, Angel met Manjeet , 35, at a nightclub in south Delhi. In the discotheque, where strobe lights cast eerie shadows, her meeting with him sparked a fatal attraction.
Born to an Indian father and a British mother, Angel inherited her mother's charm. With a dazzling smile and striking looks, she easily captivated those around her. Originally named Shashi Prabha, she was a Delhi girl with big dreams who transformed herself into Angel Gupta on Mumbai's modelling circuit.
After spending time in Germany, she claimed to be London-born and returned, boosting her profile. Soon, she was a regular at parties, featured in item songs and magazine covers. With around 20 item numbers and a few small movie cameos to her name, Angel believed she had made it. But fate had other plans.
When Mumbai's glamour failed to sustain her, Angel packed her bags and returned to Delhi. Her earlier aspirations faded, replaced by months of uncertainty with no assignments in sight. The Rs 50,000 rent, once effortlessly covered by her stepfather, now became a pressing concern.
As the joblessness dragged on, Angel's life became increasingly defined by her fixation on Manjeet. Her failed modelling career and lack of opportunities intensified an unhealthy obsession, turning Manjeet into an all-consuming focus. The more she struggled to revive her career, the more she craved validation through Manjeet, recalled an investigator.
By summer 2018, Angel decided she wanted to make the relationship formal. The only obstacle: Manjeet was married to Sunita , 38, a teacher and mother of two.
Sunita was aware of her husband's affair. But instead of seeking a divorce, she insisted he end it. A devoted mother, she began documenting the emotional storm in a diary. Her refusal to separate from Manjeet pushed Angel to the edge. No one knew she would stop at nothing to eliminate the obstacle in her path.
In desperation, Manjeet and Angel turned to her stepfather, Rajeev. Together, they orchestrated a sinister plan. Rajeev's driver, Deepak, helped them find two contract killers, who were paid Rs 2.5 lakh as advance, with Rs 7.5 lakh promised after the murder.
Two weeks before the murder, Manjeet and Angel mapped out Sunita's daily route alongside the hired killers, even staging a rehearsal of the crime. Angel rode a scooter, simulating Sunita's commute to Haryana to ensure every detail was covered. The plan was locked in, with the murder scheduled on the day of Karva Chauth, Oct 25, 2018, which failed.
On Oct 29, 2018, when Sunita left for school, Manjeet informed the shooters. Rajeev and Deepak were nearby, in contact with the killers. Sunita was ambushed near the Dariyapur police chowki and shot dead. The assailants fled the scene.
A high-stakes investigation followed. Police traced a trail of digital clues-bank transactions, mobile tower locations, call records, and CCTV footage. These cracks began to expose the conspiracy.
It was the suspects' shaky alibis and suspicious behaviour that first raised red flags. Forensic experts examined evidence closely. Recovered vehicles and firearms narrowed the circle. But the real turning point came from Sunita's diary, handed over to police by her daughter. Its contents sealed the killers' fate.
The investigation culminated with the arrest of Angel, Manjeet, and the shooters.
Seven years later, on April 28, a court found the accused guilty, appreciating the meticulous police work. Three days ago, the court sentenced all to life imprisonment . For Sunita's children, the pain of loss remains, but the verdict brought closure.
Behind bars, the connection between Manjeet and Angel remains evident. Within the cold, unyielding walls of Tihar Jail, their stolen glances offer fleeting comfort, while expressions are untouched by regret. The burden of their crime appears to rest lightly, if at all, on their conscience, as they serve their life sentences.
A chance encounter, a whispered secret, and a sinister plot unfolded. Around winter of 2016, Angel met Manjeet , 35, at a nightclub in south Delhi. In the discotheque, where strobe lights cast eerie shadows, her meeting with him sparked a fatal attraction.
Born to an Indian father and a British mother, Angel inherited her mother's charm. With a dazzling smile and striking looks, she easily captivated those around her. Originally named Shashi Prabha, she was a Delhi girl with big dreams who transformed herself into Angel Gupta on Mumbai's modelling circuit.
After spending time in Germany, she claimed to be London-born and returned, boosting her profile. Soon, she was a regular at parties, featured in item songs and magazine covers. With around 20 item numbers and a few small movie cameos to her name, Angel believed she had made it. But fate had other plans.
When Mumbai's glamour failed to sustain her, Angel packed her bags and returned to Delhi. Her earlier aspirations faded, replaced by months of uncertainty with no assignments in sight. The Rs 50,000 rent, once effortlessly covered by her stepfather, now became a pressing concern.
As the joblessness dragged on, Angel's life became increasingly defined by her fixation on Manjeet. Her failed modelling career and lack of opportunities intensified an unhealthy obsession, turning Manjeet into an all-consuming focus. The more she struggled to revive her career, the more she craved validation through Manjeet, recalled an investigator.
By summer 2018, Angel decided she wanted to make the relationship formal. The only obstacle: Manjeet was married to Sunita , 38, a teacher and mother of two.
Sunita was aware of her husband's affair. But instead of seeking a divorce, she insisted he end it. A devoted mother, she began documenting the emotional storm in a diary. Her refusal to separate from Manjeet pushed Angel to the edge. No one knew she would stop at nothing to eliminate the obstacle in her path.
In desperation, Manjeet and Angel turned to her stepfather, Rajeev. Together, they orchestrated a sinister plan. Rajeev's driver, Deepak, helped them find two contract killers, who were paid Rs 2.5 lakh as advance, with Rs 7.5 lakh promised after the murder.
Two weeks before the murder, Manjeet and Angel mapped out Sunita's daily route alongside the hired killers, even staging a rehearsal of the crime. Angel rode a scooter, simulating Sunita's commute to Haryana to ensure every detail was covered. The plan was locked in, with the murder scheduled on the day of Karva Chauth, Oct 25, 2018, which failed.
On Oct 29, 2018, when Sunita left for school, Manjeet informed the shooters. Rajeev and Deepak were nearby, in contact with the killers. Sunita was ambushed near the Dariyapur police chowki and shot dead. The assailants fled the scene.
A high-stakes investigation followed. Police traced a trail of digital clues-bank transactions, mobile tower locations, call records, and CCTV footage. These cracks began to expose the conspiracy.
It was the suspects' shaky alibis and suspicious behaviour that first raised red flags. Forensic experts examined evidence closely. Recovered vehicles and firearms narrowed the circle. But the real turning point came from Sunita's diary, handed over to police by her daughter. Its contents sealed the killers' fate.
The investigation culminated with the arrest of Angel, Manjeet, and the shooters.
Seven years later, on April 28, a court found the accused guilty, appreciating the meticulous police work. Three days ago, the court sentenced all to life imprisonment . For Sunita's children, the pain of loss remains, but the verdict brought closure.
Behind bars, the connection between Manjeet and Angel remains evident. Within the cold, unyielding walls of Tihar Jail, their stolen glances offer fleeting comfort, while expressions are untouched by regret. The burden of their crime appears to rest lightly, if at all, on their conscience, as they serve their life sentences.
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