What initially appeared to be a tragic hit-and-run incident involving a newlywed couple from Rajasthan has now been revealed as a pre-planned murder allegedly orchestrated by the wife with the help of her former boyfriend.
Ashish died on the spot after being attacked during an evening walk, while his wife Anju was found unconscious beside him. The case has now been dubbed “Rajasthan’s honeymoon murder” by investigators, drawing comparisons with a similar high-profile case in Meghalaya last year.
## Initial accident theory raises suspicion
Police received information on the night of January 30 that a couple was lying injured on a road in Sri Ganganagar. Ashish was declared dead at a nearby Community Health Centre, while Anju told police that an unidentified vehicle had hit them and that she had been robbed of her gold jewellery.
However, inconsistencies soon emerged. Medical reports revealed injury marks and signs of strangulation on Ashish’s body, while Anju showed no visible injuries, raising serious doubts about her account.
## Police uncover planned murder plot
According to Superintendent of Police Amrita Duhan, phone records showed Anju was in frequent contact with her former boyfriend, Sanju. Investigators learned that Anju, who married Ashish three months ago, had returned to her hometown shortly after the wedding and reconnected with Sanju.
Police said the murder was planned during this period. On the night of the incident, Anju allegedly led Ashish to an isolated road, where Sanju and two accomplices lay in wait. After the attack, Anju reportedly handed over her phone and earrings to make the incident appear like a robbery and accident.
## All accused arrested
Police arrested Anju, Sanju, and the two accomplices — Rocky alias Rohit and Badal alias Siddharth. Officials said Anju’s changing statements further strengthened suspicions during the investigation.
## Echoes of earlier honeymoon murder case
Investigators noted similarities with the Meghalaya honeymoon murder case, where a newlywed woman allegedly plotted her husband’s killing during their trip, attempting to pass it off as an accident.
The case has reignited debate on trust, crime within marriages, and the need for careful investigation beyond first impressions.