Bareilly, 01 Aug (HS): In a

frightening occurrence in Bareilly district, a man reportedly killed his wife

at the order of his girlfriend and attempted to pass it off as highway robbery,

according to police. Om Saran (38), the accused, has been detained and placed

in judicial custody, according to officials. After anomalies in Sarna's

original testimony raised red flags, his call records were investigated,

revealing that he was in contact with a lady called Mannat, compelling police

to investigate further, according to SSP (Bareilly) Anurag Arya. Arya added

that the investigation finally led to the discovery of a murder conspiracy.

Saran, a Badaun resident, has been charged with murder, creating false

evidence, causing the disappearance of evidence of a crime, and giving false

information under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), according to ASP (South)

Anshika Verma.

The accused first informed police that

on the night of July 31, he was riding home on his motorbike with his wife

Amarvati when they were ambushed near Kanthari village by 3-4 unidentified guys

who snatched their cash and jewelry and fatally injured his wife. Saran stated

that the intruders took Amarvati's mangalsutra, gold earrings, and around Rs

10,000 in cash before escaping. The police filed a FIR based on Sarna's written

complaint. As the inquiry developed, investigators began to question Saran's

account of events. After being questioned extensively, he acknowledged that he

secretly married Mannat, who encouraged him to kill his wife in order to

maintain their relationship, according to the ASP. As part of the plan, Saran

accompanied Amarvati to Purnagiri on July 30.

On the way back, he stopped at his

in-laws' residence in Motipur, where he stole a motorcycle and a sharp-edged

weapon ('banka') from his brother-in-law, Bhagwandas, Verma explained. He

stopped his bike in a secluded place in Kanthari village about 12:15 a.m. and

viciously struck Amarvati with 'banka', killing her on the spot. To make it

appear like a theft, he took her jewelry, mangalsutra, and Rs 10,000 from his

pocket and hid them in adjacent woods. He then contacted his brother-in-law and

friend, Anil Yadav, and arranged for an ambulance, pretending to be rushing his

wife to the hospital, Verma said. Based on the accused's revelation, police

discovered the murder weapon, as well as hidden valuables and cash. A cell phone was also confiscated during the

search, according to the officer. She stated that police are currently looking

into Mannat's role in the scheme.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi