Man stabs wife, daughter to death

Ahmedabad: When a man approached Ramesh Nayak, a Gram Rakshak Dal constable, at 1am on Monday, Nayak was surprised. The man, Pratapram Mehgwal, 36, said that he had killed his wife and daughter at home and was surrendering to face the consequences.

Nayak quickly went to Meghwal’s house nearby and found Meghwal’s wife Leela, 35, and daughter Komal, 15, on the floor with multiple stab wounds.

According to Bavla police, Nayak became the complainant in the case of murder and destruction of evidence against Meghwal, who is a native of Pali in Rajasthan. Meghwal sells snacks near his house at Shantinagar Society in Bavla town. Meghwal has four children, a son and three daughters. Two daughters live and study with Leela’s family, his son and one daughter lived with the couple.

P A Raval, sub-inspector of Bavla police station, said Meghwal was tired of domestic quarrels. “According to his statement, Leela more than once expressed suspicions about his relationship with Komal and this had enraged him. Along with other issues, the family would fight almost every day. Meghwal bought a big knife and hence the murder does not appear to be impulsive,” Raval said.

On Sunday night, Meghwal got a chance as his son had gone to Rajasthan and he attacked Leela with the knife and slit her throat while she slept, at around 12.30 am. As Leela struggled, Meghwal stabbed her multiple times. As Komal was awakened by the noise, Meghwal panicked and attacked her as well, stabbing her in the chest and stomach.

“He burned his bloodstained clothes and thus an offence of destruction of evidence has also been registered. He was in his vest when he approached the constable and surrendered. We are yet to question Leela’s family to get more information about the couple,” said Raval.