Ghaziabad: Husband Among Five Arrested for Alleged Murder Plot Against Wife in Loni Border
In a shocking incident in Ghaziabad, five people, including the husband of a woman, were arrested on Tuesday for allegedly attempting to kill her in the Loni Border area. The Ghaziabad Police revealed that the prime accused, Harishankar alias Harish (38), hired a hitman to shoot his wife, Sanju Devi (33), suspecting her of having an affair with their neighbour.
Details of the Accused and the Alleged Conspiracy
The other accused have been identified as Vineet Rajput (20) and Arjun Singh (20), both residents of Baghpat, along with Vibhor Sharma (31) and Raj Baisla (19), residents of Loni Border. According to police, Rajput was hired as the hitman, with Singh and Baisla serving as his associates, while Sharma is a friend of Harishankar.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Rural) Surendra Nath Tiwari stated that the incident occurred on January 25, when the accused opened fire at Sanju Devi in Loni Border, resulting in a bullet wound to her waist. Following the attack, Harishankar filed a complaint against one of his neighbours and his two sons, which later proved to be a diversion tactic.
Police Investigation Unravels the Plot
Police investigations uncovered that Harishankar suspected Devi of infidelity and wanted to eliminate her. He allegedly hired the men living in Loni for Rs 50,000, meeting Rajput through a friend in Noida. CCTV footage and call detail records confirmed that the attackers were in constant communication with Harishankar.
Upon questioning, Harishankar confessed to the crime, leading to his arrest, with the four others apprehended subsequently. During interrogation, Rajput disclosed that Harishankar promised him Rs 50,000 for the murder, transferring Rs 35,000 upfront, with the remainder due after the crime. Harishankar reportedly provided Rajput with details about Devi's movements, including her location and clothing color.
Multiple Attempts and Recovery of Evidence
The accused made their first attempt to kill Devi on December 30, which failed. On January 23, they tried again in a market, firing a shot that missed, unnoticed due to children bursting crackers nearby. On January 25, Harishankar accompanied Devi on a bike to the market, while Rajput, Sharma, and Baisla followed on another bike. As the couple returned, Rajput shot Devi, injuring her.
The pistol used in the crime was arranged by Sharma and has been recovered by the police, adding to the evidence against the accused. This case highlights a disturbing trend of domestic violence and premeditated crimes in the region, with authorities continuing to investigate further details.
