The police is baffled by the incident because it is the third mysterious death in the family in the last 15 years. Gupta's first wife died in a kitchen fire in 1993 and elder son, Kamesh's, charred body was found in his car in Solan in 1998, after he was kidnapped earlier, police said.

On Friday, when the Khari Baoli cumin seeds dealer was out on his daily morning stroll at around 6.30 am, unidentified men shot him dead. During investigations, police have recovered a .315 bore bullet, which suggests that the fire arm was locallly made. Police have said that Gupta's and his family members' phone call details are being investigated.

“We are not yet clear about the motive. Gupta's belongings were found intact on him, thus ruling out the motive of robbery. His five brothers are also doing well in their respective businesses, thus ruling out family disputes. The only motive that remains is professional rivalry. The Gupta family has property worth crores,” a senior police official said.