Man arrested for killing wife at Maha Kumbh

By Sagaya Fernando | February 26, 2025

Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh: A 48-year-old man from Delhi, Ashok Kumar, was arrested for murdering his wife during the Maha Kumbh at Sangam city. The accused, a sanitation worker with the Delhi Nagar Nigam, allegedly killed his wife due to her opposition to his extramarital affair and attempted to cover up the crime by filing a missing person’s report.

Key Details:

Incident Date: February 18, 2025

Location: Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh

Victim: Meenakshi (40)

Accused: Ashok Kumar (48), resident of Trilokpuri, Delhi

Murder Plot and Arrest:

Kumar and his wife travelled from Delhi to Prayagraj for a holy bath at the Maha Kumbh.

They rented a room in Azad Nagar, Ketwana (New Jhunsi) without submitting identification proofs. The following morning, Meenakshi’s body was discovered in the bathroom, while Kumar was missing.

Kumar had pre-planned the crime for months and used the crowded Kumbh Mela as an opportunity.

He slit his wife’s throat with a knife, disposed of the weapon and blood-stained clothes in a dustbin, and fled. To mislead authorities, he uploaded multiple videos of their pilgrimage on social media to create an alibi.

Later that day, he filed a missing person’s complaint at a police station before going into hiding.

Investigation and Breakthrough:

Authorities launched an inquiry, scanning CCTV footage and social media for leads.

The breakthrough came on February 21, when the victim’s family -- her brother Pravesh Kumar and sons Ashwani and Adarsh -- contacted Jhunsi police and identified her through photographs and clothing.

A joint operation by Jhunsi police, the Special Operations Group (SOG), and the surveillance cell led to Kumar’s arrest in Bairana, Prayagraj.

During interrogation, he confessed to the crime, revealing long-standing marital discord as the motive.

Legal Action:

Kumar has been charged with murder and tampering with evidence. Further legal proceedings are underway.