18-Year Marriage Ends In Death: Woman And Lover Held For Husband's Murder In UP

Last Updated:June 12, 2025, 10:18 IST

After killing Kannan, Sangeeta filed a missing person complaint on June 5 and spent the next three days travelling with Vivek.

Woman And Lover Held For Husband's Murder In UP’s Siddharthnagar After 18 Years Of Marriage. (News18 UP/Uttarakhand)

A woman in Siddharthnagar district was arrested for allegedly murdering her husband with her lover’s help and dumping his body in the Rapti river, eerily echoing the Meghalaya honeymoon murder case.

According to the police, the deceased has been identified as Kannan Kumar (48) and the accused as Sangeeta Devi (35) and her lover, Anil Shukla alias Vivek (27).

The couple was married for 18 years and had a 12-year-old son. Police said the accused, Sangeeta Devi, gave her husband, Kannan, poisoned prasad while returning from a temple visit.

Later, along with her lover, Vivek, who was eight years younger, she pushed his unconscious body off a 25-ft-high bridge into the Rapti near Kodari in Balrampur on June 2.

After killing Kannan, Sangeeta filed a missing person complaint on June 5 and spent the next three days travelling with Vivek. When questioned, her inconsistent responses raised suspicions. Investigation into her mobile location revealed she was with Kannan on June 2, leading to her confession and revelation of Anil’s involvement.

“Papa went out with Mummy and Anil uncle, but only Mummy returned," her 12-year-old son also told police. Meanwhile, Kannan’s brother, Babu Lal, who suspected foul play due to the strained relationship between the couple, also filed a complaint, suspecting his brother’s murder and accusing his wife, Sangeeta.

The skeletal remains were recovered from the river on June 10, about 1.5 km downstream, and identified by clothing. Based on Babu Lal’s complaint, police arrested Sangeeta and Vivek.

Police circle officer, Shohratgarh, Sujeet Rai, said that Sangeeta reportedly met Vivek five years ago during a train journey. “Their affair deepened, and Vivek began frequenting her house. Though Kannan grew suspicious and confronted his wife, she dismissed the allegations as mere friendship. However, Sangeeta and Vivek eventually planned the murder to remove Kannan from the equation," said Rai.

Sangeeta confessed that she and Vivek had poisoned her husband during a trip to Vibhuti Nath temple in Shravasti, then thrown his body into the river at Kodari bridge. Locals reported that Kannan had brought Sangeeta home in a love marriage 18 years ago and made a living through fish farming.

Rai confirmed the arrests, stating the murder was premeditated. “Sangeeta attempted to mislead the investigation but cracked under intense questioning," he added. Both Sangeeta and Vineet have been jailed.

Location :

Uttar Pradesh, India, India

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