Man burns wife alive, passes it off as suicide, arrested after 7-year-old daughter exposes murder act

By Sumesh Rajan | August 28, 2025

Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, INDIA: A 35-year-old man from Uran in Navi Mumbai was arrested for allegedly burning his wife alive on suspicion of infidelity and attempting to pass off the crime as a suicide. 

Police said the truth emerged after the couple’s seven-year-old daughter, who witnessed the killing, testified that her father had set her mother ablaze.

The incident occurred in the early hours of August 25 at Pagotegaon village, Uran. The accused, identified as Rajkumar Ramshiromani Sahu, reportedly tied the hands and legs of his wife, Jagrani (32), doused her in kerosene, and set her on fire with a lighter inside their home. She was rushed to hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Initially, Sahu claimed that his wife had locked herself in a room and committed suicide. Based on his statement, a case of accidental death was registered. However, investigators soon uncovered contradictions in his version.

“Our probe revealed several discrepancies in his story. The autopsy findings and the statement of the couple’s daughter pointed towards foul play,” said Hanif Mulani, Senior Inspector of Uran police station.

The child’s account directly contradicted Sahu’s claims, while CCTV footage from the area showed the accused leaving the house shortly after the incident, undermining his assertion that he was not present.

Based on medical, forensic, and eyewitness evidence, police registered a case under Section 103(1) (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita on August 26 and arrested Sahu.

“It is a clear-cut case of murder and a brutal act of domestic violence,” Inspector Mulani confirmed.

Further investigation into the case is underway.