Gurpreet Singh (33), who allegedly murdered Swiss national Nina Berger, was in touch with several other foreigners and tried to lure them to India with talk of astrology and gemstones and even offered to “heal them”, said police.
Berger (36), was found dead near an MCD-run school — her limbs tied with chains and her body wrapped in a plastic bag — last week. Police said she met Singh in 2021 in Switzerland and the two had been dating since. On October 11, she came to India after Singh called her. On October 18, Singh strangled her in his car, a second-hand Santro, and later dumped the body.
According to the police, Singh was upset with Berger after she had turned down his marriage proposal several times.
As per investigators, Singh, during questioning, said his father has a store in West Delhi where they sell expensive gemstones and also offer astrology services.
Police said Singh also mentioned he had knowledge of “black magic, astrology and has mind powers”. “He told us he used the same ‘powers’ to befriend Berger and lure her to India. He often talks about his father’s business, healing through stones, and astrology tricks. We checked his phone, found he was talking to other foreigners, and offered to ‘heal them’,” said an officer.
Police are going through CCTVs and questioning staffers at the two hotels in West Delhi where Berger stayed from October 11-17. Police have already recovered her passport, iPhone, and luggage.
Police are also planning to conduct a DNA test on her body to match the evidence found in the Santro — chain, blood stains, and hair strands — after a forensic analysis of the car confirmed Berger’s body was kept in it.
Investigators have seized their phones. “On Singh’s phone, we saw his chats with other women and their photos. However, he has deleted all his chats with Berger. Berger’s phone is locked, we will contact cyber officials to unlock it,” said a police officer.
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Meanwhile, Berger’s family was traced to Switzerland with the help of the Swiss embassy but they have expressed their inability to come to India. Police said the family didn’t know about their daughter’s India trip and Singh.
Police said they are waiting for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to issue a no-objection certificate (NOC) to conduct post-mortem and biometric tests to confirm Berger’s identity. If Berger’s family doesn’t show up, police said Swiss embassy officials can sign an NOC and approve the tests.
According to police, they are also probing the source of “several crores” discovered in Singh’s account and his Janakpuri residence.
