Shocking Akola Murder: Husband Arrested for Allegedly Killing Wife, Burning Her Face
In a deeply disturbing incident that has horrified the Akola district, police have apprehended a man accused of murdering his wife and then attempting to destroy her identity by setting her face on fire near a temple. The victim has been identified as Ravina Pawar, a new mother who had delivered a baby just eight days before the tragedy. The arrested suspect is her husband, Sadiq Shah Tashreef Shah.
Discovery of the Body and Initial Investigation
The case emerged on Monday when authorities received information about a partially burnt female body, estimated to be between 30 and 32 years old, discovered near the Annapurna Mata temple within the Dabki Road police station's jurisdiction. Police teams responded promptly, conducting a formal panchnama (scene examination) and sending the remains for a postmortem examination to determine the cause of death.
With the victim's face severely charred, identification proved initially impossible. Law enforcement subsequently released detailed descriptions through press notes and social media platforms, which ultimately enabled them to confirm the deceased as Ravina Pawar, leading the investigation toward her immediate family.
Arrest of the Husband and Background of the Couple
As the probe intensified, suspicion centered on Ravina's husband, Sadiq Shah. Police tracked him to Barshi Takli, where he had sought refuge at his sister's residence, and placed him under arrest on Wednesday. Investigators revealed that the couple, originally from Shelu Bazaar in Washim district, had a love marriage and were employed in Mumbai. They had recently relocated to Akola for Ravina's delivery and were residing in a rented accommodation.
According to police officials, the marriage was marred by persistent domestic disputes that tragically escalated. The accused allegedly strangled his wife to death, transported her body to the temple vicinity, and in a brutal attempt to obscure her identity, doused her face with petrol and ignited it before fleeing the scene.
Crucial Evidence and Emotional Aftermath
CCTV footage from surrounding areas proved instrumental in tracing the accused's movements, with multiple police squads collaborating to locate and detain him. Adding a profoundly emotional layer to this already harrowing case, the couple's eight-day-old infant was with Sadiq Shah at the time of his arrest.
Immediately upon taking the accused into custody, women police personnel assumed care of the newborn at the police station, attending to the child's safety and urgent requirements. The police then coordinated with the child welfare department, which has now assumed full responsibility for the infant's care, protection, and future support.
Legal Proceedings and Official Statement
The accused is scheduled to be presented before a court on Thursday, with the investigation continuing to uncover further details. DCP (Zone) Sudarshan Patil affirmed the arrest, emphasizing that no crime, however meticulously planned, can ultimately evade the long arm of the law. This case underscores severe issues of domestic violence and the critical need for protective interventions, particularly involving vulnerable new mothers and infants.
