Husband, lover held for killing pregnant woman

Jaipur: A day after a 23-year-old pregnant woman was found murdered in Jaipur Rural, police Thursday arrested her husband and a neighbour, alleging that the two killed her and hid her body inside the woman’s house in Dausra village.

Police have identified the accused as Shankarlal Gurjar (28), the victim’s husband, and Bhawna Jat (23), who allegedly shared a relationship with him. Investigators said the affair appears to have been the motive behind the murder of Sampat Devi.

The case came to light on Wednesday when Govardhan Gurjar, Shankarlal’s brother, lodged a complaint at Madhorajpura police station stating that his sister-in-law, Sampat, had gone missing a day earlier. According to the complaint, Sampat, who was pregnant, was at home Tuesday and had gone over to Bhawna’s house, a neighbour living opposite her house, who had invited her over for tea.

Jaipur Rural SP Hanuman Prasad Meena said a special investigation team was formed under the supervision of Additional SP Dudu Shivlal Bairwa and Phagi circle officer Anil Kumar Doriya. The team, led by Madhorajpura SHO Randhir Singh, examined technical evidence, forensic inputs and statements of residents.

During the investigation, police detained Shankarlal and Bhawna for questioning. According to investigators, Bhawna disclosed that she had called Sampat to her house and allegedly gave her water mixed with sedative tablets. After the victim lost consciousness, Bhawna allegedly attacked her with the blunt side of an axe, causing fatal injuries.

Police said Bhawna later contacted Shankarlal, who allegedly helped her dispose of the body. The two allegedly wrapped the body in a plastic tarpaulin, placing it in a sack and concealed it beneath empty plastic and grain bags inside the house.

Investigators said evidence collected during the probe corroborated the accused’s statements and linked both to the murder. Police subsequently arrested the duo.

Officials said further investigation is underway to establish whether the murder was planned in advance and to gather additional evidence in the case.