A 23-year-old woman has been arrested in Sri Ganganagar district in Rajasthan for the premeditated murder of her husband, whose death was first reported as a hit-and-run traffic accident, authorities said on Thursday.
Incident Reported as Hit-and-Run
On the evening of January 30, police received a call reporting that a couple was lying injured on the roadside after being struck by an unidentified vehicle during an evening walk. The man, later identified as 25-year-old Ashish Kumar, was declared dead at the scene, while his wife was found unconscious nearby and taken for medical attention.
The woman initially told police the couple had been hit by a speeding vehicle, and she claimed she had lost consciousness after the crash and was robbed of her gold jewellery. Based on that account, the incident was first registered as a hit-and-run case.
Investigation Uncovers Inconsistencies
However, forensic findings and police investigation raised doubts about the hit-and-run story. Investigators found no clear signs of a vehicle collision, such as tyre marks or broken glass, at the site consistent with a road accident. The autopsy also revealed injuries inconsistent with a simple traffic crash, suggesting a more violent attack.
Suspicions heightened after the woman’s statements were found to be conflicting during questioning, prompting deeper scrutiny by investigators.
Plot and Arrests
Following the irregularities, police conducted further investigation that led to a confession from the woman that she and her alleged lover had planned the killing of Ashish. Authorities said the woman had continued her relationship with her former partner even after her marriage and that they hired two other men to assist in the murder.
Police have arrested four people in total: the wife, her alleged lover, and two accomplices. They have been charged with murder and are in custody pending further legal proceedings.
