Gonda,

23 Jan (HS): A man was booked on Friday for reportedly murdering his wife with

a shovel after she refused to sell a plot of property despite his repeated

requests, police said. According to Additional Superintendent of

Police (East) Manoj Rawat, the incident occurred in Bholojot village, which is

part of the Khargupur police station, and included Baboolal attacking his wife

Rita (35). The couple has two children. According to the victim's sister,

Meena, the accused is addicted to intoxicants and has been harassing Rita to

sell land registered in her name by her father-in-law, he claims. Rita had

opposed the sale of the land because Baboolal had previously sold property

while intoxicated.

On

Friday morning, Rita was making dinner at home when Baboolal took her outdoors

and repeatedly beat her on the head with a shovel. The officer said that she

died on the scene. Rita's father, Ram Sewak, has filed a case charging Baboolal

of murder. City Circle Officer Anand Rai and SHO Sheshmani Pandey arrived at

the scene with a forensic squad, took the body into custody, and sent it for

post-mortem. According to the ASP, the accused has fled and attempts are being

made to locate him.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi