Man held for killing wife, toddler son for ₹2 crore insurance money

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By Sumesh Rajan | April 9, 2026

Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, INDIA: In a chilling case of alleged greed-driven crime, a 26-year-old man and two of his associates have been arrested for the murder of his wife, a police constable, and their three-year-old son. The accused allegedly staged the killings as a road accident to claim insurance and post-death benefits worth around ₹2 crore, police said on Tuesday April 7.

The incident occurred on February 25 on the Swar–Bajpur road near Kashipur, under the Ganj police station limits in Rampur district.

Initially believed to be a fatal road accident after a burnt car was recovered from the scene, the case took a dramatic turn following a detailed investigation. Police scanned footage from over 300 CCTV cameras along the route, which revealed that the incident was a premeditated double murder.

The victims were identified as Lata (25), a constable posted in Uttar Pradesh Police, and her son Avansh alias Laddu (3).

According to police, the prime accused—Lata’s husband—conspired with his brother and three associates to execute the crime. The accused, who was engaged in vehicle rental work, had married Lata in 2022.

Insurance Motive

Investigators said the accused plotted the murders to claim insurance and secure a government job under the deceased dependent quota. He allegedly planned a family trip to Nainital to carry out the crime.

On their return journey near Kashipur, the accused reportedly mixed sedatives in cold drinks given to his wife and son, rendering them unconscious. He then poured petrol on the vehicle and set it on fire to simulate an accident.

While the child died on the spot, Lata initially survived the burns and attempted to escape. Police said that while she was being taken to hospital in another vehicle, the accused allegedly assaulted her with a blunt object, resulting in her death.

Investigation Uncovers Plot

Suspicion arose after the post-mortem report revealed a head injury on Lata. Forensic examination further confirmed that the vehicle had not met with an accident but was deliberately set ablaze.

During interrogation after his arrest on April 4, the accused allegedly confessed to the crime.

Based on his disclosure, police arrested two accomplices, while two others remain absconding. Efforts are underway to trace and apprehend them.

Past Incident Under Scanner

Police also revealed that the accused’s first wife had died in a road accident in 2020. Though no case was registered at the time, authorities are now re-examining the circumstances surrounding her death.

A case has been registered, and further investigation is in progress.

Officials described the incident as a “deeply disturbing case of conspiracy and betrayal,” highlighting the extent to which the accused allegedly went to execute the crime for financial gain.