Man kills wife, attempts to burn body in backyard, surrenders

 

By Goal Post News Desk | 15 May 2025

 

Shimla, Himachal Pradesh — In a gruesome act of domestic violence, a man has been arrested for allegedly murdering his wife and attempting to destroy her body by setting it on fire in the courtyard of their home in Ganperi village, under the jurisdiction of Shoghi Police Post, Boileauganj Police Station, Shimla.

 

The accused, Tota Ram, a private security guard, reportedly killed his wife, Gulshan (26), and then dug a pit in his backyard to hide the crime. He attempted to burn her body using wood and paint, presumably to prevent identification. The heinous act came to light when Tota Ram approached the Shoghi police post and falsely reported that his wife was missing. Police investigation later revealed the chilling truth.

 

Discovery and Police Action

 

The crime was uncovered after neighbors noticed suspicious activity and informed the woman’s family. When her relatives arrived at the scene on May 14, they found a freshly dug pit containing a half-burnt body in the courtyard. They immediately informed the police.

 

A police team reached the location, recovered the body, and sent it for post-mortem examination. Forensic experts also collected evidence from the site, including partially burnt remains and the material used to ignite the fire. Investigations revealed the use of paint and firewood in an attempt to destroy the corpse.

 

Dowry Harassment Alleged by Family

 

Gulshan’s brother, Akshay, told the police that his sister had been facing dowry-related harassment since her marriage to Tota Ram in 2020. The couple had a four-year-old son. On May 14, Akshay’s mother attempted to call Gulshan, but the call went unanswered. Concerned, the family visited her home in Ghanperi, where they found the courtyard pit and the half-burned body.

 

Akshay also stated that Tota Ram was behaving oddly when they arrived. He alleged that his sister was murdered first and that the accused then attempted to burn the body to destroy evidence. The family immediately filed a complaint with the local police.

 

Murder Charges Filed

 

According to Shimla’s ASP Navdeep Singh, the accused was arrested and booked under Sections 103 (murder) and 238 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). He confirmed that preliminary investigation indicates the murder was committed solely by Tota Ram. Police have begun further legal proceedings, and the accused will be presented in court.

 

The incident has sent shockwaves across the region, with local authorities and the community expressing deep concern. Panchayat head Anjana Rohal confirmed that Gulshan, an Anganwadi worker, was seen by locals earlier that day. The news of her murder emerged by evening.

 

Isolated and Disturbing Profile of the Accused

 

Police sources describe the accused as mentally unstable and reclusive. Tota Ram lived alone with his wife and child. His parents are deceased, and his only brother works outside Himachal Pradesh.

 

As the investigation continues, this horrific case has once again highlighted the urgent need to tackle domestic abuse and enforce stronger protection for women in India’s rural heartlands.