What initially appeared to be an accidental death due to snakebite has now turned into a meticulously planned murder in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut, with police alleging that a school worker was first drugged with sleeping tablets before a highly venomous snake was used to kill him.
Police have arrested four people, including the victim’s wife, her alleged lover and two snake charmers, in connection with the murder of Atul Kumar Panwar, whose body was found at his rented house in J Block Colony in Hastinapur on Friday morning, HT reported earlier.
According to investigators, Panwar was allegedly killed by his wife Damini and Tusshar, a bus driver who worked at the couple’s school, who tried to pass off the killing as a fatal snake bite.
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How was the murder planned?
Investigators said Atul was initially given milk laced with sleeping pills before a highly venomous krait was used to bite him while he slept.
Investigators said: “Atul was initially given milk laced with sleeping pills before a snake bit him while he was sleeping, causing his death. Tusshar was working as a bus driver at Atul’s school.”
Tusshar allegedly enlisted the help of two snake charmers, Sonu and Uday Kumar, both residents of Hastinapur, to execute the plan.
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According to police, Damini informed neighbors on Friday morning that her husband died after being bitten by a snake. The snake, which was found on the victim’s bed, was killed by people at the scene. Snakebite marks were found on Atul’s hand and leg, leading investigators to initially suspect he had died accidentally.
However, Atul’s father, Ajab Singh, accused his daughter-in-law of killing his son, prompting a detailed investigation.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Avinash Pandey said investigators found that Tusshar was working as a school bus driver for the last three months and was allegedly involved in an extramarital affair with Damini.
“Further investigation led the police to conclude that the victim’s death was the result of a premeditated murder and not a natural snake bite incident,” Pandey said.
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Insurance, an issue under the lens
Atul, a native of Bhandura village, married Damini in 2019. The couple had been living in a rented house in J-Block Colony for the past four months with their six-year-old son. About three months ago, they set up Krishna Children’s School in Hastinapur, where Tusshar joined as a bus driver.
Police said interrogation revealed that Damini and Tusshar were in a relationship and Atul allegedly considered them an obstacle. Investigators also found that Atul had a life insurance policy worth about $1,000 $20 lakh, and the accused allegedly planned to demand payment after his death. Sonu and Adi allegedly made a promise $5 lakh insurance money for their role in the conspiracy, according to police, news agency PTI reported.
The police further claimed that this was not the first attempt on Atul’s life. The report added that about 20 days before the accident, Tusshar tried to kill him by running over him with a car, but Atul survived because he was wearing a helmet.
The four accused, namely Damini, Tusshar, Sonu and Uday Kumar, were arrested. Police said further investigations are underway.
(With inputs from Deepak Lavanya)
