In a disturbing case reminiscent of a similar crime in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, police in Rajasthan have detained a woman and her lover in connection with the murder of her husband, whose body was discovered inside a blue drum. The incident occurred in the Khairthal-Tijara area of Alwar district.
The deceased has been identified as Hansraj, also known as Suraj, a 30-year-old native of Shahjahanpur district in Uttar Pradesh. He had been residing in a rented accommodation in Adarsh Colony of Kishangarhbas with his wife, Sunita, and their three children for the past one and a half months. Hansraj worked at a local brick kiln.
The gruesome discovery was made on Sunday, August 17, after the landlord's wife noticed a foul odor emanating from a drum on the rooftop of the house. Upon opening the drum, police found Hansraj's body, which had been sprinkled with salt, allegedly to accelerate decomposition. A stone lay atop the blue drum, sealing its mouth, possibly to cut off the foul smell.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Hansraj's throat had been slit with a sharp weapon. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Rajesh Kumar, confirmed that a case has been filed, and forensic teams are collecting evidence.
Adding a twist to the case, Hansraj's wife, Sunita, their three children, and the landlord's son, Jitendra, were found to be missing since Saturday. Jitendra, who was known to frequently drink with Hansraj, also disappeared. This led to suspicions of an affair between Sunita and Jitendra.
On Monday, August 18, police apprehended Sunita and Jitendra in Khairthal-Tijara district. They are currently in custody and being questioned. Police sources suggest the murder took place in the rented rooftop room where the family lived.
The case has drawn comparisons to a similar incident in Meerut, where a man was murdered by his wife and her lover, who then dismembered his body and hid the parts in a drum. In that case, the drum was filled with cement and sand.
Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the motive behind the murder and to gather more evidence. DNA samples have been sent for analysis. Police are also probing whether Sunita's relationship with Jitendra played a role in the crime, noting that Sunita was active on social media and frequently made short video reels, sometimes appearing with her husband. The recovery of Hansraj's body and the subsequent arrest of Sunita and Jitendra have sent shockwaves through the community.
