By Sumesh Rajan | July 27, 2026
Mahoba, Uttar Pradesh, INDIA: A 35-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly hacking his eight-month-pregnant wife to death with a sickle in front of their two young children in Uttar Pradesh's Mahoba district, police said.
The incident occurred late on Saturday July 25 night in Bijrari village under the Panwari police station area. The accused, identified as Hanif Mansoori, was taken into custody after police said the couple's five-year-old son provided a crucial eyewitness account that contradicted his father's version of events.
According to investigators, Hanif allegedly returned home heavily intoxicated and became involved in an argument with his wife, Manisha Mansoori, 27. Police allege that the dispute escalated after she objected to his drinking, following which he repeatedly attacked her with a sickle, inflicting fatal injuries to her head and neck. She died at the scene.
The victim was approximately eight months pregnant. The couple's two children—a five-year-old son and a two-year-old daughter—were reportedly present during the attack.
Police said the accused initially attempted to mislead investigators by calling the emergency helpline and claiming that an unidentified person had killed his wife. However, officers who arrived at the scene found evidence suggesting she had been attacked with a sharp-edged weapon.
During the investigation, the couple's five-year-old son told police that his father had assaulted his mother with a sickle. Officials said the child's statement, along with inconsistencies in the accused's account and evidence collected from the scene, led to Hanif's arrest.
Kulpahar Circle Officer Aniruddh Singh said the accused repeatedly changed his version of events during questioning before being taken into custody. Police have registered a murder case, and Manisha's body has been sent for a post-mortem examination. Further investigation is underway.
Family members of the victim alleged that Manisha had endured years of domestic abuse. Her brother said Hanif struggled with alcohol addiction and gambling and had allegedly sold a significant portion of his agricultural land to support his addictions. He also claimed that the accused frequently assaulted Manisha and had previously forced her out of the house on multiple occasions.
According to relatives, a police complaint had been filed against Hanif in 2024, after which Manisha stayed with her parents for several months before returning to her matrimonial home following assurances that his behaviour would improve.
Villagers described the accused as quarrelsome and said many residents kept their distance from him due to his behaviour.
In a striking development, Hanif's father publicly condemned his son's alleged actions, saying he deserved the harshest punishment under the law. He also said he would take responsibility for raising the couple's two children.
Police said further legal action will be taken based on forensic evidence and the findings of the post-mortem examination.
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