Wife spikes husband’s food, lover hacks him to death

By Sagaya Fernando | March 20, 2026

Banaskantha, Gujarat, INDIA: In a chilling case of premeditated murder, a woman allegedly conspired with her lover to kill her husband by first drugging him and then attacking him with an axe in Karbun village of Banaskantha district, police said on Thursday.

The victim, identified as Ranchhodji Darbar, was living with his wife Dharmiba when the crime unfolded. According to investigators, the murder was the culmination of an illicit relationship between Dharmiba and a fellow villager, Bhanabhai Majirana. Police said tensions had escalated after Darbar became aware of the affair and opposed it.

As per the police probe, the accused meticulously planned the killing. On the night of the incident, Dharmiba allegedly mixed sleeping pills into her husband’s dinner. After Darbar lost consciousness, Majirana entered the house and fatally attacked him with an axe, killing him on the spot.

Police have also named Dharmiba’s sister, Anandaba, as a co-accused, stating that she played an active role in facilitating the crime.

Following the murder, the trio allegedly attempted to destroy evidence and mislead investigators. When their initial efforts to dispose of or conceal the body failed, they reportedly placed the victim back on the bed in an attempt to pass off the death as natural.

“A detailed investigation led to the unraveling of the conspiracy. All three accused have been arrested and remanded to judicial custody,” a police official said.

A case has been registered against the accused under relevant sections pertaining to murder, criminal conspiracy, and abetment. Police said further investigation is underway to ascertain additional details and establish the sequence of events.