National

"My father loves children and cannot be their killer"

CHANDIGARH: The son of businessman Moninder Singh Pandher, prime accused in the Noida killings case, has said his father "loves children and could not be their killer."

On Friday, Karandeep Singh, 25, said: "Ever since my childhood, he has showered me with love and affection. He has even taken care of relatives' children, who too love him. Tell me, which psychopath or paedophile, as my father is being falsely projected, would show such qualities."

Karandeep, who lives with his mother Davinder Kaur at the family house here, said his father brought him up like a "king" and always stressed on good education, as that alone and not money would help one progress in life. "My father himself has a brilliant academic record. Not only did he study at prestigious educational institutions such as St. Stephens, but he even reached the interview stage of IAS examination, but left it to take responsibility of the family business."

He said the entire family was "shocked and traumatised" after his father's name figured as a prime suspect in the Nithari killings that have evoked a nationwide outrage. "He was and still is a good father. I firmly believe that my father cannot do this heinous crime. I think somebody is behind all this. The confessions are being made under pressure, but I have full faith in the judiciary, which I regard as the best in the world."

PTI

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