Couple murder woman's lover, burn body to destroy evidence

 

By Sumesh Rajan | July 14, 2025

Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh, INDIA: In a grisly case that has sent shockwaves across Uttar Pradesh, police have arrested a couple for the brutal murder of a 32-year-old man, whose beheaded and dismembered remains were found near the Rind river in Fatehpur district.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Anoop Singh, in a press briefing on July 9, confirmed that a headless skeleton had been discovered last week and was later identified as Rahul Patel, a resident of the area. Patel was allegedly in an extramarital relationship with 38-year-old Sarita, who, along with her husband Rambhavan (40), plotted and executed his murder.

According to the police, on July 2, Sarita invited Rahul to her house. Once he entered, Rambhavan strangled him with a rope. The couple then used sharp tools, including a sickle and a saw, to dismember the body. The remains were taken to the banks of the Rind river, where they were set on fire in an attempt to destroy evidence. The head was disposed of separately to prevent identification.

Investigators managed to identify the victim through social media leads and local input. Key evidence recovered from the scene included the murder weapons, fragments of the victim's motorcycle, a broken mobile phone, eyeglasses, a belt, and strands of hair.

During interrogation, both Sarita and Rambhavan confessed to the crime and led authorities to the locations where they had disposed of the remains. Police also revealed that the couple had prior criminal records.

SP Anoop Singh stated that the motive appeared to stem from Rambhavan’s growing suspicion and anger over his wife's affair. The case is now under further investigation, and both accused are in police custody.