Woman strangled and stabbed to death; man held

 

By Sagaya Fernando | July 3, 2025

Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, INDIA: Authorities in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh have arrested a man accused of strangling a 20-year-old woman and stabbing her more than two dozen times, including in her private parts, in a brutal killing that has shocked the local community.

The incident occurred on Saturday 28 June 2025 in a maize field in the Mainather area of Muradabad district. According to police statements, the woman’s body was discovered the following day with multiple stab wounds.

Police have identified the suspect as Mohammad Rafi, also known as Arif. He was taken into custody after the victim’s mother filed a complaint alleging that Rafi had been persistently harassing her daughter and pressuring her to communicate against her wishes.

During questioning, Rafi reportedly told investigators that he and the victim had known each other and had been in contact by phone. He claimed the woman had invited him to meet her in the field on Saturday evening, where an argument ensued. According to police, Rafi alleged that the woman insulted him during the confrontation.

In a statement, officers said that in a fit of rage, the suspect strangled her with her scarf until she lost consciousness. He then attacked her with a screwdriver and inflicted multiple stab wounds with a knife before fleeing the scene.

The victim’s family said she was stabbed more than 24 times, including severe injuries to her genitals.

Investigators recovered a screwdriver believed to have been used in the attack, as well as the woman’s mobile phone, from the suspect.

Rafi has been arrested and remanded to judicial custody as the investigation continues.