The charred bodies of Rajesh Kumar Arora, 30, Monika Rani, 22, and their son Vansh were found in unit number 209. Rajesh’s father-in-law, Subhash Chander, has been arrested by police in the US.

He has reportedly admitted that he killed the three because Rajesh belonged to a lower-caste and his daughter had married him against his wishes.

Rajesh was working as a cashier at a gas station in Chicago and had got married to Monika in 2002. Rajesh’s father Om Prakash runs a confectionery shop in Ambala.

Raj Bains, who lives in nearby Chicago Heights and owns several gas stations in the area, told The Indian Express on phone that Rajesh was a jovial person.

“He used to work at one of my gas stations. He had quit the job and was looking for opportunities to set up a business with his friends, who live in Wisconsin. He was living with his wife Monika... He was hard working and could have definitely made a mark for himself and his family, had he lived. It is sad that he is no more,” said Bains.

According to information available, Oak Forest Police Department are investigating the case and have arrested Subhash Chander.

Monika Rani’s uncle lived in the same building as the family and her father lived in the neighbourhood.

Subhash Chander was held without bond by Cook County Judge Martin McDonough in connection with the arson and murder of Chander’s pregnant daughter and her family.

Chander was charged with three counts of first-degree murder and one count of intentional homicide of an unborn child in the Oak Forest blaze.

According to several news reports, there is an indication that another man was seen accompanying Chander, while he was setting his daughter’s apartment on fire.

Around 150 firefighters took three hours to control the blaze at the 36-unit apartment complex.

Several of the residents jumped from second-floor balconies to escape the flames.

Chander and his accomplice had reportedly poured gasoline to intensify the blaze.