Newlywed woman, paramour arrested for contract killing of husband

By Sumesh Rajan | March 25, 2025

 

Auraiya, Uttar Pradesh, India: In a shocking case of premeditated murder, a 22-year-old woman, along with her paramour, orchestrated the killing of her husband merely 15 days after their marriage. The crime, which took place in Auraiya, Uttar Pradesh, India, has sent shockwaves across the country.

The Crime and Investigation

On March 19, 2025, local police received an alert about an injured man lying in a field. The victim, identified as 25-year-old Dilip Yadav, was rushed to the Community Health Centre in Bidhuna before being transferred to hospitals in Saifai, Gwalior, Agra, and finally Auraiya. Despite multiple medical interventions, he succumbed to his injuries on March 21.

Authorities launched an intensive investigation and analysed CCTV footage from the crime scene and surrounding areas. The footage provided crucial evidence leading to the identification and arrest of three individuals:

Pragati Yadav (22) – The victim’s wife and alleged mastermind.

Anurag alias Manoj (26) – Pragati’s lover.

Ramji Chaudhary – A contract killer hired for INR 2 lakh.

The Murder Plot

According to the Superintendent of Police (Auraiya) Abhijeet R Shankar, Pragati Yadav had been in a romantic relationship with Anurag for four years before she was married to Dilip against her will on March 5, 2025. Unhappy with her marriage, she conspired with Anurag to eliminate her husband.

Pragati reportedly convinced Anurag that Dilip’s financial stability would ensure a prosperous future for them if he was removed from the picture. Determined to be together, they contacted Ramji Chaudhary, a contract killer, and paid him INR 2 lakh to execute the murder.

On the night of the attack, Ramji lured Dilip to an isolated field under false pretences and shot him. Assuming he was dead, the assailant fled the scene. However, Dilip was discovered alive and taken to the hospital before succumbing to his injuries two days later.

Police Action and Arrests

Sahar Station House Officer (SHO) Pankaj Mishra confirmed that the breakthrough in the case came from CCTV footage, which provided vital clues. The police first arrested Ramji Chaudhary and recovered a firearm with live cartridges. During interrogation, Ramji confessed, leading to the arrests of Anurag and Pragati.

All three accused were presented before a local court and have been remanded in judicial custody. The case remains under further investigation.

A Disturbing Trend

This case bears a striking resemblance to a recent murder in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, where another woman conspired with her lover to have her husband killed. The incident has raised serious concerns about forced marriages, personal autonomy, and the dark lengths individuals may go to in pursuit of personal desires.

Conclusion

The tragic killing of Dilip Yadav has left the local community in shock. As legal proceedings unfold, this case serves as a grim reminder of how deception, greed, and illicit relationships can culminate in a deadly outcome. Authorities continue their investigation to ensure justice is served.