Meghalaya-like murder in UP: Wife, lover poison husband, throw body off bridge

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In a chilling crime reminiscent of the Meghalaya honeymoon murder, a woman in Uttar Pradesh's Siddharthnagar district has been arrested for allegedly killing her husband of 18 years with the help of her lover and dumping his body into the Rapti river.

According to TOI, the accused, 35-year-old Sangeeta Devi, fed her husband, Kannan Kumar (48), poisoned prasad during a visit to Vibhuti Nath temple in Shravasti on June 2. As they were returning, she and her 27-year-old lover, Anil Shukla alias Vivek, allegedly pushed an unconscious Kannan off a 25-foot-high bridge near Kodari in Balrampur.

The case drew parallels to the now-infamous Meghalaya murder case due to its elements of love, betrayal and calculated elimination of a spouse.

As per TOI report, Sangeeta and Kannan had been married for 18 years and have a 12-year-old son. After committing the murder, Sangeeta filed a missing person report on June 5 at Dhebarua police station, while she and Anil reportedly travelled together over the following three days. However, inconsistencies in her statements and mobile phone location data from June 2 soon aroused suspicion.

Kannan’s brother, Babu Lal, who had long suspected trouble in the couple’s relationship, also filed a complaint alleging murder. His concerns were corroborated by the couple's son, who reportedly told the police that his father had left with his mother and Anil but only his mother returned.

Surveillance data confirmed that Sangeeta’s mobile location was with Kannan on the day of the incident. Confronted with this, she eventually broke down during questioning and confessed to the crime, implicating Anil as well, TOI reported.

The body was recovered in skeletal condition from the Rapti river on June 10, about 1.5 km downstream from where it had been thrown. Identification was made based on clothing, according to police.

Police Circle Officer Sujeet Rai, who led the investigation, said Sangeeta met Anil five years ago during a train journey and their relationship had grown stronger over time. Anil began visiting her home frequently and though Kannan confronted her, she dismissed his suspicions, calling it mere friendship, according to TOI. Locals said that Kannan had brought Sangeeta home after a love marriage and was involved in fish farming to support the family.

Rai added that the murder was clearly premeditated and that Sangeeta had tried to mislead the investigation but eventually confessed under sustained interrogation.

During questioning, Sangeeta reportedly admitted that she and Anil had fed Kannan poison during a trip to Vibhuti Nath temple in Shravasti and later threw his body off the Kodari bridge into the river. Both Sangeeta and Anil have been arrested and sent to jail.