What was first reported as a hit-and-run death during an evening walk in Rajasthan’s Sri Ganganagar has now been revealed as a premeditated murder, allegedly by a 23-year-old woman with the help of her boyfriend.
The alleged murder, which took place on October 6, hit the headlines on Monday as police released chilling details and arrests in the case. (ANI/File)Police say the woman, Anjali Kumar, killed her husband Ashish Kumar (27) because she was unhappy with the marriage offered by her family despite being in a relationship with another man for seven years. As reported by HT beforeFour people have been arrested in the case so far.
Asish was killed on a road in 01KLM village in Sri Ganganagar district on Friday evening. Initially, Anjali told the police that a speeding motorcycle hit Asish from behind while the couple was out for an evening outing.
Everything seems to be going as planned for the two. However, the truth comes out after an autopsy finds injuries inconsistent with a road accident, prompting an in-depth investigation and eventual confession.
Long term relationshipAccording to the police, Anjali and Ashish got married in October last year, but her relationship with Sanjay (25) was around seven years before the marriage.
More Read
“Anjali’s family was aware of their relationship but still got her married to the victim, Ashish Kumar. She was unhappy with the marriage and hence planned the entire murder,” said Sri Ganganagar Superintendent of Police Amrita Duhan.
Anjali and Sanjay, residents of Sadulshahr in Churu district, met during graduation at a college in Ravla, Sri Ganganagar and continued their relationship even after her marriage, investigators said.
The plot was finalized 16 days before the murderInvestigations revealed that the killing was not unprovoked but pre-planned. According to the police and a PTI report, 16 days before the incident, Anjali had visited her parents’ house in Sadulshahr, where she and Sanjay had allegedly finalized the plan to eliminate Ashish.
The duo also roped in two men, Rohit and Siddharth, who had allegedly scouted the spot for the murder days before the attack.
According to police, Anjali was unhappy in the marriage, but the final trigger came when she sought her husband’s permission to return to their former college in Ravla for higher studies, a move investigators say was intended to help her meet Sanjay regularly. “Ashish refused,” said the SP.
Ashish had joined a private school as a teacher just three days before his death.
How the murder was committedOn the day of the crime, Anjali allegedly lured Ashish to a secluded stretch on the pretext of an evening walk.
“Anjali informed Sanjay before she left the house with her husband. On reaching the spot, Sanjay and his accomplices attacked Ashish with rods and sticks and beat him till he collapsed. Sanjay strangled him to death when he became unconscious. Post-mortem revealed deep head injuries and marks,” Doohan said.
Circle Officer Prashant Kaushik also detailed the sequence of events that night.
More Read
“On the fateful night, after dinner, Anjali took Asish for a walk. She alerted Sanjay, who came with his accomplices and hid in a nearby bush. When he signaled, the three attacked Asish with sticks, rendered him unconscious, and then strangled him to death,” she said, reported PTI.
After the murder, Anjali allegedly tried to make the crime look like a robbery.
“To present the crime as robbery, Anjali handed over Ashish’s mobile phone and her earrings to the accused,” police said, adding that she pretended to faint at the scene, PTI reported.
Based on his complaint, the police have registered a case of negligent driving and launched a search for the accused biker, while Ashish’s body has been sent for post-mortem.
Autopsy raises doubtsThe hit-and-run theory began to unravel after the autopsy report came out. “There were multiple injuries from a brutal attack. We have not found any other clues related to any such attacker,” Doohan said.
As there was no evidence of a road accident or robbery, the police called Anjali for questioning. During interrogation on Wednesday, he allegedly confessed to his role in the murder.
Four accused – Anjali, Sanjay, Rohit and Siddharth have been arrested. A case of murder has been registered against them under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and further investigation is underway.
