The bodies were discovered by their gardener, whose knocks went unanswered in the morning. "But the front door was open and I entered. I informed the police when I saw the couple lying in a pool of blood," the gardener said.

"Papers were scattered all around; the room may have been ransacked before the murders were committed. Prima facie it appears that the murders were committed early on Sunday morning as the blood had turned a thick, dark red," said a police officer. The crime appeared to have been committed by a sharp-edged weapon, which is yet to be recovered.

Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police Arpit Shukla said robbery and personal enmity could be possible motives behind the crime.

"The couple's son Sarabjit Singh has been missing since the past eight months. We are awaiting the arrival of the deceased's son-in-law who has told us that he wants to lodge a case," he added.

The family was reportedly involved in a long-pending property dispute. "Sarabjit apparently disappeared from the scene after changing his will in October 2008. The family suspects that Sarabjit's in-laws may be involved in the crime," said a senior police officer.