Kurukshetra: Police are investigating the alleged murder of a 40-year-old man after his wife was reportedly found injured at their rented accommodation near Raj Palace on Pehowa Road, with investigators also probing the disappearance of parts of the deceased’s liver and his right kidney.
The incident took place on Saturday and came to light after the landlord reportedly heard the couple shouting at around 5 pm. The deceased, identified as Rajesh, was a resident of Dhampur village in Uttar Pradesh and had been living in the rented accommodation with his wife, Vimla Devi, for about a year.
Rajesh was employed as a water-supply worker with a private company.
Landlord finds man critically injured
According to landlord Rinku, he rushed towards the terrace after hearing the couple arguing.
He allegedly found Rajesh lying in a pool of blood with a deep injury to his abdomen. The landlord told police that he also saw Vimla Devi allegedly attempting to place the protruding intestines of Rajesh into a plastic bag.
Police said that on noticing the landlord, Devi allegedly panicked and jumped from the terrace.
She suffered serious injuries in the fall, including injuries to her spine, and was subsequently admitted to a hospital for treatment.
Police recovered three knives of different sizes from the scene as part of the investigation.
Post-mortem raises questions
The post-mortem examination has added another dimension to the case, with doctors reportedly finding that a portion of Rajesh’s liver and his right kidney were missing.
Forensic expert Dr Gaurav Kaushik said that around half of the deceased’s liver and the right kidney were not present when the body was brought for examination.
A deep incision measuring approximately 37 centimetres was also found on the abdomen, with the intestines protruding through the wound.
The findings have prompted investigators to examine the circumstances surrounding the missing organs and determine whether their disappearance is connected to the alleged killing.
Police are investigating where the missing organs could have gone and whether their absence occurred before or after the fatal injuries were inflicted.
Motive yet to be established
Police have not yet established the exact motive behind the alleged killing.
According to the landlord, Devi was involved in ‘jhaad-phoonk’, a traditional practice associated with faith-based healing and exorcism. He also reportedly told investigators that the couple frequently quarrelled.
The couple had been married for several years but did not have children.
However, police have not confirmed whether domestic disputes or Devi’s alleged involvement in traditional healing had any connection with the incident. Investigators are examining all possible circumstances before establishing the motive.
Woman undergoing treatment
Adarsh police station SHO Surender Sandhu said Devi is currently undergoing medical treatment because of the serious injuries sustained after the fall.
Police said they will question her once her medical condition improves sufficiently.
Her statement is expected to be important in establishing the sequence of events leading to Rajesh’s death and determining what happened to the missing organs.
The police will proceed with her arrest and interrogation in accordance with the investigation and her medical condition, the SHO said.
Investigation continues
Investigators are examining evidence collected from the rented accommodation, including the three knives recovered from the scene, medical findings and statements from witnesses.
The circumstances surrounding the abdominal injury, the alleged handling of the intestines and the disappearance of part of the liver and the kidney are all being examined.
Police are also seeking to establish the sequence of events between the reported quarrel and Devi’s jump from the terrace.
Officials said the exact motive and circumstances of the death would become clearer after the woman is medically fit to provide her statement.
The case has raised several questions for investigators, particularly regarding the missing organs and their possible connection with the death. Police are continuing their probe and have not yet confirmed the motive or the precise sequence of events.