The victims, Dilip Jain and his wife Rekha Jain, were stabbed to death at their home near Gol Chauraha. Police said Dilip was stabbed 13 times, while Rekha suffered more than 30 knife wounds when she attempted to intervene. Both died on the spot.

According to investigators, Vikas arrived at the couple’s house on a scooter and was invited inside. CCTV footage shows him leaving Nimbahera at 5.40 pm and reaching Mandsaur at 7.22 pm, with his face covered and wearing gloves. After Dilip arrived home about 12 minutes later, the three reportedly sat together for nearly half an hour, during which tea and biscuits were served.

Police said a dispute later broke out between Dilip and Vikas. During the altercation, Vikas allegedly attempted to fire a country-made pistol at Dilip, but the weapon misfired. He then pulled out a knife concealed in his sock and attacked Dilip. When Rekha rushed downstairs on hearing the commotion, she was also repeatedly stabbed.

After the killings, Vikas did not attempt to flee. Investigators said he walked through the house, sat briefly on a sofa, and then shot himself in the right temple. The bullet exited his head and lodged in the ceiling. Only one round was fired, police confirmed.

A forensic team recovered the knife, pistol, a cartridge, the bullet, and a DVR containing CCTV footage from the house. Cash and jewellery were also seized. Post-mortem examinations of all three bodies have been completed, and they were handed over to the families.

Superintendent of Police Vinod Kumar Meena said initial findings point to an old business dispute as a possible motive, though the exact trigger is still being examined. “The sequence of events and CCTV footage suggest the accused came fully prepared,” he said.

Both families shared a long-standing relationship spanning nearly two decades. Neighbours and relatives said they were shocked by the incident, given the close ties between the households. Police teams have questioned family members in both Mandsaur and Nimbahera and are continuing the investigation to establish motive and intent. A case was registered on the complaint of Dilip Jain’s nephew.