Kamal Ghorui
JAIPUR: Sriganganagar police Tuesday arrested a 23-year-old woman, her alleged boyfriend and two others for the murder of her 25-year-old husband, after investigators said an attempt to portray the killing as a hit-and-run collapsed under forensic and on-ground scrutiny.Superintendent of Police Amrita Duhan identified the accused as Anju, the victim’s wife, Sanjay alias Sanju (25), and his alleged accomplices Rohit and Badal. The victim was identified as Ashish Kumar (25).
Police said the case was initially reported as a hit-and-run accident after Ashish’s brother informed authorities on Jan 31 that Ashish had been run over by an unidentified vehicle while walking with Anju on Jan 30. Duhan said the claim drew immediate doubt as the spot “did not support a vehicular impact” and investigators found no strong evidence consistent with a hit-and-run. During questioning, police said Anju repeatedly changed her account, faltered on key details and claimed she lost consciousness multiple times. Duhan said Anju also alleged that unidentified assailants robbed her jewellery after the accident, a claim police said further conflicted with the accident narrative. The post-mortem report flagged multiple injuries and indications of strangulation, prompting police to treat the death as homicide. Investigators said Ashish and Anju had married about three months ago and that she was unhappy with the marriage. Police alleged she returned to her parental home in Sadulshahar within days, reconnected with Sanjay and planned Ashish’s murder, intending to marry Sanjay. Police said Anju later returned to her in-laws’ home and resumed living with Ashish. Knowing that Ashish routinely went for a walk after dinner, she began accompanying him. On Jan 31, police said, she contacted Sanjay and finalised the plan. That evening, Sanjay arrived with Rohit and Badal and, acting on Anju’s instructions, the men hid in bushes, police said. When Anju took Ashish for his post-dinner walk, she allegedly led him to a deserted stretch, kept him engaged in conversation, and then signalled the attackers. Police alleged the men struck Ashish on the head with sticks, knocking him unconscious. Finding he was still alive, they allegedly strangled him and fled. Police said Anju handed over Ashish’s mobile phone and the earrings she was wearing to the accused before sending them away and then informed her in-laws that Ashish had died in a road accident.
