Man held for killing pregnant wife, burying body at construction site in Araria

Patna: A man allegedly murdered his 24-year-old pregnant wife on suspicion of having an illicit relationship, dismembered her body and buried it at a construction site on a college campus in Araria district. Her body was recovered from the campus on Sunday, three months after the murder, said police, adding the accused has been arrested and sent to judicial custody.

According to the police, the victim, identified as Nusrat Parveen, was three months pregnant at the time of the murder. She and her husband, Mohammad Mahboob, were residents of Begampur village under K Nagar police station in Purnia district. The accused lured her to Araria, where he was working, and killed her.

The police said the murder took place a day after Eid on March 21, 2026, at a construction site within an SC/ST college campus under Bathnaha police station area. Mahboob, who worked as a mason there, allegedly used a sharp weapon to kill Nusrat. In an attempt to conceal the crime, he chopped her body into two parts and buried them in separate pits dug at different locations on the premises.

The case came to light after Nusrat’s family raised concerns over her prolonged absence. Her father, Moti Burrhaman, said that while the couple’s relationship was initially stable, it deteriorated over time due to Mahboob’s alleged drug abuse and repeated suspicion about her character. “He became addicted to smack, ganja and alcohol. He would often assault Nusrat and accuse her without reason,” Burrhaman said.

According to the family, the couple had love marriage about five years ago, against the wishes of Nusrat’s family, though they later reconciled. They had a three-year-old daughter. Mahboob and his relatives frequently taunted Nusrat over dowry, despite the marriage being without it.

Around six months ago, following increasing disputes, Mahboob moved with Nusrat and their daughter to Araria to live separately. He allegedly continued to demand money from Nusrat’s family, and when they failed to meet his demands due to financial constraints, the harassment intensified.

The victim’s family grew suspicious when they were unable to contact Nusrat for several days. Burrhaman said Mahboob gave evasive responses, claiming he was in cities such as Mumbai or Hyderabad. About five days before the complaint was filed, Mahboob returned to the village with only their daughter and claimed that Nusrat had eloped with another man.

Following this, Nusrat’s family lodged a missing complaint at K Nagar police station on May 12. During the investigation, police first questioned Mahboob’s father and later detained Mahboob.

K Nagar SHO Ajay Kumar said the accused initially attempted to mislead investigators but later confessed during sustained interrogation. “Based on his disclosure, Araria police conducted a search at the construction site and recovered the body parts. Forensic teams have collected evidence from the spot. Further investigation is underway and more details are likely to emerge,” the SHO said.

Nusrat’s mother, Kamrul Nisha, said she had repeatedly urged her daughter to leave her husband due to his abusive behaviour, but Nusrat chose to stay, citing her decision to marry him against family opposition. “We are conducting the probe to gather additional evidence and examine all aspects of the case,” the SHO added.