In a horrifying case of betrayal and premeditated murder, a 24-year-old pregnant woman was allegedly strangled to death by her husband with the help of his lover in Rajasthan’s Ajmer district. The murder, which initially appeared to be a tragic natural death, was unraveled by forensic evidence and a post-mortem report, leading to the arrest of the accused couple. The victim, Shobha Devi, was found dead on the rooftop of her home in Dodiana village, under the Mangaliyawas police station jurisdiction, on the morning of April 14. Her husband, Shivji Gurjar (33), a local bhajan singer, initially told authorities that his wife had died of a heart attack. Later, he claimed she had taken her own life. However, visible marks on her neck raised suspicions, prompting a deeper investigation.

The Shocking Revelation

Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural) Deepak Kumar confirmed that the post-mortem conducted by a medical board at JLN Hospital revealed that Shobha Devi died due to strangulation. “Forensic teams collected evidence from the scene, and based on the medical findings and witness statements, it became clear this was a case of murder,” he said. The breakthrough came after Shobha’s father, Amararam, filed a complaint accusing his son-in-law of murder. In his statement, Amararam alleged that Shivji had been involved in an extramarital affair with a woman named Rekha, and the two conspired to eliminate Shobha.

A Sinister Plot Unfolds

Police investigation revealed that Shivji and Rekha had been in a relationship for over five years, having first met at a temple in the same village. On April 13, Shivji told his family he was going to perform bhajans in Kesarpura. Instead, he returned home in the early hours of April 14. According to police, around 1 AM, he woke up his wife under the pretense of a conversation and then strangled her using a towel. “During interrogation, Shivji confessed to the crime, detailing how he planned the murder with Rekha,” ASP Deepak Kumar said. Both Shivji and Rekha have been arrested and charged under sections 103(1) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Authorities are now working to gather all technical and forensic evidence to build a watertight case.

Justice Demanded

The brutal killing has triggered widespread anger in the local community, with residents demanding swift and strict punishment. Shobha, described by neighbors as soft-spoken and devoted to her family, was reportedly several months pregnant at the time of her death — a detail that has only intensified public outrage. “This was not just a murder. It was a betrayal of trust, a life stolen from both a mother and her unborn child,” said a local women’s rights activist. As the case proceeds, questions are being raised once again about the prevalence of domestic violence, the impact of extramarital relationships, and the urgent need for stronger community awareness and support systems for vulnerable women.

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For support related to domestic abuse, please contact the National Women’s Helpline at 181 or reach out to local NGOs in your area.