A PHARMACIST from Farnham has been arrested on suspicion of murdering his father at his home in Dockenfield.

Bipin Desai, the 57-year-old former owner of Vaughan James Chemist in West Street, was arrested on Saturday at Courtenay House in The Street.

His arrest came two days after police discovered the body of 85-year-old Dhirajlal Desai, who is believed to Bipin Desai’s father, at the same address.

Mr Desai has been released on bail until October 19 while the investigation continues. He has not yet been charged.

A post-mortem on Dhirajlal’s body was carried out this week but failed to determine a cause of death. Further tests will now be carried out.

Surrey Police said in a statement: “Officers attended the address in Dockenfield on the evening of Thursday, August 27, following the man’s death.

“On Saturday, August 29, information was received by Surrey Police regarding the man’s death. Following receipt of this information a man in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of murder to enable officers to carry out a number of enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the death.

“This is believed to be an isolated incident with no threat to the wider community.”

Mr Desai sold Vaughan James Chemist four years ago but still manages the pharmacy three days a week from Thursday to Saturday on behalf of its new owner Rohit Patel.

Mr Patel said he has been unable to contact Mr Desai following his arrest,

He told The Herald: “I never met Mr Desai before I purchased the shop but I think he has been working in Farnham for many years.

“He is a very mature man and as an ex-proprietor he knew exactly how to run the business properly for me. I never had any problem whatsoever with him.

“Not in a thousand years would I expect him to be capable of murder. I don’t know but I think something has gone wrong very badly here.

“He’s not that kind of a man and it came as a shock to me. He’s a family man and I feel sorry for him.

“We only ever talked about business matters and never spoke about his personal life or his father. He’s not been answering my calls at all and he hasn’t been in touch with me.”

Dockenfield villagers have also expressed shock at news of a suspected murder on their doorsteps.

There has been “enormous” speculation in the village since police cars and an ambulance descended on the house on Thursday, and detectives have carried out door-to-door enquiries following Mr Desai’s arrest.