A relationship that reportedly began through social media has ended in tragedy in Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi, where a woman was allegedly strangled to death inside her home following an argument with her husband.
The deceased has been identified as Sudha, also known as Shivani, a native of Indergarh in Madhya Pradesh. Police said her husband, 28-year-old Yash Thakur, is currently absconding and teams have been formed to trace him.
Shivani had reportedly been living in the Sipri Bazar area of Jhansi for around three months. Her family has accused Yash of killing her, while police are investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.
What Happened Inside Shivani’s Jhansi Home?
According to Shivani’s family, she and Yash had an argument on Sunday night before going to sleep.
Her 18-year-old younger sister, Muskan, was reportedly sleeping in an adjoining room.
Muskan told the family that sometime between 1:30 am and 2 am, Yash asked for his bag, saying he needed to take some belongings. After receiving the bag, he allegedly latched the door from outside and left the house.
Muskan later attempted to leave her own room at around 5 am to use the bathroom but discovered that her door had also been latched from outside.
She reportedly called out to Shivani and Yash for nearly half an hour but received no response. She eventually went back to sleep.
At around 9 am, Shivani’s brother Aniket arrived at the house. He reportedly found the door to Shivani’s room secured from outside and opened it.
Shivani was found unconscious on the floor.
Her family immediately took her to the Medical College, where doctors declared her dead.
Family Alleges Husband Was Responsible
Following Shivani’s death, her family raised suspicion against Yash.
Aniket alleged that there were marks around Shivani’s neck and that blood was coming from her ear. He and Muskan accused Yash of killing her before leaving the house and securing the rooms from outside.
Police initially observed an injury mark around Shivani’s neck. No other obvious injuries were reportedly noticed at that stage.
CO Ramveer Singh said the body was sent for a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.
A two-doctor panel subsequently conducted the post-mortem. According to the findings cited in the case, Shivani died due to strangulation, with five injuries reportedly found around her neck and face.
Investigators are also examining whether a rope or piece of clothing could have been used in the alleged strangulation.
Shivani and Yash Reportedly Met on Social Media
According to Muskan, Shivani first met Yash, who was from Gwalior, through social media approximately two years ago.
The two reportedly developed a relationship and later informed their families about their decision to marry. Their families agreed to the marriage, and the couple reportedly tied the knot around one-and-a-half years ago.
They initially lived together in Gwalior.
However, Muskan alleged that Yash subsequently began physically assaulting Shivani over minor disagreements. Shivani later moved to Jhansi, where she rented accommodation near Awas Vikas Fauji Tiraha. Muskan and Aniket were also staying in the area.
According to the family, Yash continued to visit Shivani in Jhansi from time to time.
These allegations are part of the family’s account and are being examined as part of the police investigation.
Argument Reportedly Took Place Before Shivani’s Death
The circumstances leading up to the alleged killing are now a key part of the investigation.
According to the family, Shivani had travelled to Gwalior with her younger brother Kapil around two days before Raksha Bandhan. She stayed there for two days before returning to Jhansi with Yash. Kapil reportedly went back to their village.
On Sunday night, Shivani and Yash allegedly got into another argument.
Muskan alleged that Yash abused members of Shivani’s family during the dispute.
Their maternal uncle Santosh, who lived nearby, reportedly intervened and helped calm the situation.
After the argument subsided, Muskan went to sleep in the adjoining room while Shivani and Yash remained in the other room.
Investigators are now working to determine what happened inside the room after the dispute and before Yash allegedly left the house.
Police Search for Yash Thakur
Yash has not yet been traced, according to the information provided by the family and police.
Police teams are searching for him and examining the circumstances surrounding Shivani’s death. Investigators are expected to gather forensic evidence, examine the post-mortem findings and reconstruct the sequence of events inside the house.
The post-mortem has reportedly established strangulation as the cause of death, but the investigation into how the incident occurred and who was responsible is continuing.
The allegations made by Shivani’s family will have to be established through the police investigation and subsequent legal proceedings.
Further investigation is underway.
