An Agra district court on Friday sentenced a 40-year-old woman and her relative to life imprisonment for the murder of her husband, who was found strangled to death at his residence in the Dauki area over four years ago.
The woman, Poonam, and her relative Soni were convicted under Section 302 (murder) and Section 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code for killing Poonam’s husband, Rakesh. Investigations revealed that Poonam and Soni were allegedly involved in an extramarital relationship, which is believed to have been the motive behind the crime.
Both convicts, who have been in custody since their arrest shortly after the murder, were produced in court from Agra Central Jail for sentencing. “The court has sentenced both Poonam and Soni to life imprisonment and imposed a fine on them,” the government counsel said following the verdict.
The Crime and Investigation
The case dates back to January 2021, when local police were alerted to the discovery of a body at a home under the Dauki police station limits. The deceased was later identified as Rakesh, husband of Poonam.
According to the police and prosecution, Rakesh’s father, Ram Prasad, had lodged a formal complaint, stating that his son had been married to Poonam for eight years. Before their marriage, he alleged, Poonam had been romantically involved with Soni, who continued to visit the couple’s home even after their marriage.
Over time, Rakesh grew suspicious of the relationship between Poonam and Soni. After learning of their alleged affair, he reportedly asked his father to prevent Soni from entering the house again.
However, on the night of January 24, 2021, around 10 p.m., Soni allegedly came to meet Poonam at her residence. Rakesh returned home half an hour later and, upon finding Soni there, confronted Poonam, leading to a heated argument. During the altercation, Poonam and Soni reportedly strangled Rakesh to death using a scarf.
Ram Prasad claimed he witnessed both Poonam and Soni fleeing the scene shortly after the incident. Though he tried to pursue them, he was unable to catch them.
Forensic Confirmation
A post-mortem examination later confirmed that Rakesh died due to asphyxia caused by strangulation. The medical report also noted multiple ante-mortem injuries on his body, confirming that the injuries occurred before death and were consistent with a violent assault.
Following a thorough investigation, police arrested both accused, who have remained in judicial custody until their conviction. The life sentence brings closure to a case that highlighted a deadly mix of infidelity, domestic conflict, and premeditated violence.