PRAYAGRAJ, June 2 -- Bodies of four family members - an elderly couple, their daughter and a man - were recovered from a locked house in the South Malaka area on Tuesday afternoon, sending shockwaves through Prayagraj. Police suspect the murders were committed two to three days ago.

The crime came to light when residents reported a strong smell from a house near the South Malaka crossing on Hewett Road, opposite the railway overbridge. Acting on a complaint, Kotwali police reached the spot and broke open the lock of the channel gate to enter the premises.

During the search, police recovered the bodies of 70-year-old Virendra Kumar Vaishya and his 65-year-old wife, Anita from one room on the first floor of the house. The body of their 40...