Thane snakebite case: How cops unravelled woman's death as murder after 3 years; husband, friends held

THANE: Three years after a 37-year-old woman died from a snakebite in Badlapur, the police have arrested her husband and three of his friends and revealed a murder conspiracy behind what was initially recorded as an accidental death.

The incident took place on July 10, 2022, in Ujjwaldeep Apartment, Badlapur East, where the victim, Nirja Amberkar, was found dead after being bitten by a snake.

Police filed an accidental death report, assuming it to be anatural mishap.

Inconsistencies in statements and some latest evidence led the police to reopen the case, ultimately exposing a murder plot.

The arrested accused were identified as the woman’s husband, Rupesh (40), and his friends Rishikesh Chalke (26), Kunal Chaudhary (25), and Chetan Dudhane (36), a snake rescuer.

The police said Rupesh was allegedly frustrated with his wife because of domestic disputes. They said he decided to eliminate her and sought help from his friends to execute the plan.

Investigators revealed that Rupesh approached his snake Chetan, who provided the snake used in the incident.

On the night of the crime, with assistance from the other two friends, the accused allegedly ensured Nirja was bitten by the poisonous snake inside the flat, leading to death.