In the latest instance of a bizarre killing from Gujarat’s Kutch district, it was the sight of a 27-year-old married woman ending her life by setting herself ablaze, that eventually led to the arrest of both the woman and her lover for allegedly murdering an elderly man in a bid to stage her own suicide. Authorities said on Sunday the duo, identified as Rami Kesariya and Anil Gangal, did not know the victim but killed him to facilitate their plan of eloping together.
According to reports from the police, this crime happened in July when the pair lured an old man who walks alone to his death, beheading him and burning the body. The purpose of this was that the two could escape and live freely by misleading the family of Rami that she had committed suicide.
To add further strength to the lie, Rami left her mobile, clothes, and footwear beside the burning body. On July 3, the lovers put their scheme into action and ran away from the village. On July 4, Anil returned to the village and saw that Rami’s family members have accepted the burnt body as hers because clothes and other belongings had been found at the place of the burning body.
After two months of staying abroad, the couple returned to Kutch and rented a room hoping to stay low. Still, they soon found that their intention went all wrong, and on 27 September, they returned to Rami’s father, confessed to the crime, and pleaded for forgiveness. The father who refused to pardon them approached the police regarding the issue.
Kutch West Superintendent of Police Vikas Sunda confirmed that those involved had been arrested, saying, “We suspected foul play from the very start and conducted a proper probe leading to the arrest of the lovers.”
The couple-who stand accused of murder and conspiracy-were apprehended three months after the incident. An effort is also being made to identify the deceased man through a sketch. The investigations in the case continue unabated.
