A couple from Delhi, Ashok Kumar and Meenakshi, traveled to Prayagraj for the Mahakumbh festival, where Ashok murdered his wife after an argument on February 18. Their stay at a homestay ended tragically when Meenakshi’s bloodied body was found the next morning. The police identified her from photographs circulated in the media after her family reported her missing. Ashok was arrested after confessing to the crime, revealing he had planned her murder to pursue an extramarital affair. Evidence including CCTV footage and his conflicting statements led to his conviction.
New Delhi:
A couple from Trilokpuri, Delhi traveled to Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, to experience the Mahakumbh festival. The husband, diligently capturing moments through videos and photos during their trip, shared these with their children back home, depicting a joyous holiday. They checked into a humble homestay to rest for the night, but by morning, the wife’s bloodied body was found lying lifeless in the room.
The Prayagraj Commissionerate Police took 48 hours to unravel the case and apprehend the husband for the gruesome murder of his wife in the Jhunsi area on the night of February 18.
What Occurred
On the morning of February 19, police in Prayagraj were alerted about the gruesome discovery of a 40-year-old woman’s lifeless body in the bathroom of a homestay located in Azad Nagar Colony, under the jurisdiction of Jhunsi police station. The property was serving as accommodations for pilgrims attending the Mahakumbh festival. Upon arrival at the crime scene, authorities found that the woman had been brutally murdered, her throat slit with a sharp object.
Early investigations indicated that the woman had checked into the homestay the previous night with a man who claimed they were husband and wife. The homestay manager had assigned them a room without verifying their identities or requesting any identification proof. The shocking scene in the bathroom was uncovered the next morning, prompting the manager to alert law enforcement.
How The Crime Was Resolved
Investigators learned that the woman had come to Prayagraj from New Delhi with her husband on the night of February 18. Her photograph was extensively shared on social media and featured in local newspapers. This outreach proved effective on February 21, when relatives identified her.
The victim was recognized as Meenakshi, married to Ashok Kumar, a resident of Trilokpuri in the capital. Her brother, Pravesh Kumar, accompanied by her two sons, Ashwani and Adarsh, traveled to Prayagraj after seeing the published images. They confirmed her identity at the Jhunsi police station.
The police registered a case against Ashok Kumar and subsequently located and arrested him.
An Extramarital Relationship
During questioning, Ashok Kumar admitted to the murder, revealing he had been planning it for three months. A sanitation worker from East Delhi’s Trilokpuri, Ashok was reportedly engaged in an extramarital affair. To eliminate his wife and pursue his illicit relationship, he crafted an intricate plan.
On February 17, he left Delhi with Meenakshi, pretending they were going on a Mahakumbh pilgrimage. The following day, they arrived in Jhunsi and secured a room at a homestay. As night fell, an argument broke out between them. When Meenakshi entered the bathroom, Ashok seized the opportunity to attack from behind, slitting her throat with a knife. He then changed out of his blood-smeared clothes, wrapped the murder weapon in them, and discreetly disposed of the evidence.
To establish an alibi, Ashok later called his son Ashish, falsely claiming that Meenakshi had gone missing amidst the crowd at the fair. Expressing faux concern, he told his children that he had searched extensively for her without success.
The Truth Comes to Light
Doubting his father’s story, Meenakshi’s son Ashwin decided to investigate. On February 20, the family arrived at the Mahakumbh with their mother’s photo and began searching for her, while police continued gathering evidence by reviewing CCTV footage from the vicinity of the body.
On February 18, merely a day before the murder, Ashok had posted a video on social media of himself and Meenakshi enjoying a sacred dip.
The combination of surveillance footage, forensic findings, and Ashok’s contradictory statements ultimately led to his arrest.