In a shocking case of betrayal and murder, police in Jharkhand's Chatra district have recovered the body of a man allegedly killed by his wife and her lover, who considered him an obstacle to their relationship.
The Grisly Discovery in Sanghri Ghati
On Monday, December 2, a police team recovered the body of Sanju Bharti (30) from the Sanghri Ghati area, days after the crime was committed. The victim, a resident of Asanadaha village in Chatra, had been missing since November 22.
According to Sadar SDPO Sandeep Suman, the investigation revealed that Sanju's wife, Rita Kumari (25), conspired with her lover, Arvind Bharti, to execute the murder. The duo allegedly strangled Sanju to death inside a sports utility vehicle (SUV).
A Plot Unraveled by Police Investigation
The case came to light when Sanju's brother, Sanjay, filed a police complaint after Sanju failed to return home from a bank where he had gone to withdraw money on November 22. The complaint explicitly accused Rita of masterminding her husband's abduction and informed the police about her alleged affair with Arvind, who lives in Boda More.
Acting on the complaint, a special police team led by SDPO Suman arrested Rita on November 26. She was subsequently sent to judicial custody. "During interrogation, she repeatedly attempted to mislead the police," stated Suman, highlighting the challenges faced by investigators.
Key Breakthrough from a Co-accused
The investigation took a decisive turn with the arrest of Rishu Kumar, a non-FIR accused, at the Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyay (Mughalsarai) railway station. Police confirmed that Rishu Kumar was present in the SUV at the time of the murder.
His interrogation proved crucial. Acting on the information he provided, the police team located and recovered Sanju's body from the Sanghari Valley in Chatra on Monday. The body was then sent to Hazaribag Sadar Hospital for a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.
Evidence Gathered and Manhunt Launched
In a significant development, the police have seized the SUV used in the crime, along with two mobile phones belonging to Rita Kumari. These items are expected to be key pieces of evidence as the case proceeds.
While Rita and Rishu Kumar are in custody, the main accused, Arvind Bharti, remains at large. "Raids are underway to trace him," confirmed SDPO Sandeep Suman, indicating an active manhunt is ongoing.
The police have reiterated that the motive for the brutal crime was the perception of Sanju Bharti as a hindrance to the illicit relationship between his wife and her lover.
