Woman, her lover arrested for husband's murder in Rajasthan; minor detained

Weeks after a man’s body was recovered from a canal in Rajasthan, police arrested his wife and her lover for their alleged involvement in the killing. A minor was also detained in connection with the case.

The victim was identified as 32-year-old Bhajanlal, a father of two from Sri Ganganagar district.

According to police, his wife, Indraa Devi, was in an extramarital relationship with Prabhu Dayal, 32, who lived in the same village. Investigators said the two conspired to kill Bhajanlal as he had become an obstacle to their relationship.

As part of the plan, Dayal and a 15-year-old labourer, who worked with him, intercepted Bhajanlal while he was riding his motorbike outside their village on January 16, police said.

The duo allegedly hit him with sticks repeatedly and also strangulated him using a rope, causing him to lose consciousness.

Believing he was dead, they placed him on his own motorbike and transported him about 50 kilometres away.

However, when they reached the spot, Bhajanlal regained consciousness, police said. Dayal and the juvenile then attacked him with bricks, a police official said.

They later dumped his body and the two-wheeler into a canal, Sri Ganganagar Superintendent of Police Amrita Duhan said.

Police said Indraa Devi remained in constant contact with Dayal while the crime was being committed.

Due to the canal’s strong current, the body was recovered 270 kilometres away in Phalodi district, weeks later on January 2. After the victim was identified, a case was registered against unidentified persons.

The case was initially treated as a blind murder, meaning there were no immediate witnesses or clear suspects. Investigators relied on technical analysis and local intelligence inputs, which eventually led to the recovery of Bhajanlal’s motorbike.

Further leads pointed to the alleged involvement of Indraa Devi and Prabhu Dayal, who were subsequently arrested.

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