The gruesome murder of a 50-year-old Navi Mumbai man, which was said to have remained hidden for almost a year, has now come to light as police arrested a woman and her alleged lover on charges of killing her husband, cutting his body into pieces and dumping his remains in the forest.
The accused, Sunita Kushwaha (40) and Rahul Dashrath Prajapati (30), were reportedly arrested on Sunday after investigators reopened the case following suspicions raised by the victim’s brother.
According to news agency PTI, police said the murder occurred in August 2025, but remained undetected for about 11 months.
A missing person’s complaint led to a breakthrough
The victim, Baliram Suryanath Kushwaha, lived with his wife and two children in Airoli, Navi Mumbai.
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The agency report added that according to police, the case resurfaced in April this year when Baliram’s brother visited Sunita and questioned her explanations about his brother’s disappearance. He then filed a missing person complaint.
The complaint prompted investigators to examine the circumstances surrounding Beliram’s disappearance and question those close to him.
This case allegedly sparked a murder plot
During investigation, the police found that Sunita was involved in an extramarital affair with Prajapati, an auto rickshaw driver.
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Investigators said Baliram knew about the relationship and opposed it. This allegedly prompted the duo to plot to kill him.
According to the police, the accused waited for an opportunity and allegedly carried out the plan after sending the couple’s children to stay with a relative.
Killed in sleep
On the night of August 9, 2025, Baliram was allegedly strangled in his sleep, police said. Investigators said his throat was then cut.
In an attempt to destroy evidence, the accused allegedly cut the body into three parts, put the remains in bags and transported them in Prajapati’s auto-rickshaw.
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The body parts were allegedly dumped at various places in the dense forest area of Joli Dev Hills in Navi Mumbai.
After the murder, Sunita reportedly rented the family house in Airoli and moved to Ghansoli with her children.
Phone records revealed the crime
The accused repeatedly changed their mobile phones and SIM cards to avoid detection, police said.
However, investigators analyzed call detail records (CDR) and found that the two remained in regular contact over the months, strengthening suspicions about their involvement.
During sustained interrogation, both of them allegedly confessed to the crime and revealed details about the disposal of the body, the police said.
After the confession, the police found some remains believed to be those of the deceased in Guli Dev forest.
Officials said searches are continuing to find the rest of the body parts.
The accused have been booked under Sections 103 (murder), 238 (destruction of evidence) and 3(5) (common intention) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
They were brought before a local court, which ordered them to be detained for seven days in police custody for further investigation.
(with PTI inputs)
