By Sagaya Fernando | August 1, 2026
Jamnagar, Gujarat, INDIA: A woman, her alleged lover and a third man have been arrested in western India's Gujarat state after police uncovered skeletal remains buried beneath the concrete floor of an industrial unit in a case investigators allege was concealed for more than two years through an elaborate false story that the victim had moved to Australia for work.
Authorities believe the remains are those of Jignesh Dharmeshbhai Mavadiya, who was reported missing by his family after they became increasingly suspicious of the explanations given by his wife. Scientific identification and forensic examinations are still underway to formally confirm the identity of the recovered remains.
According to police, the investigation began after Jignesh's brother, Ashok Dharmeshbhai Mavadiya, filed a missing person complaint at the City 'B' Division Police Station on July 26, expressing concern that his brother had not been heard from for more than two years.
Investigators said Jignesh's wife, Prithvi Mavadiya, also known as Bhumiben, repeatedly told relatives that he had travelled to Australia for employment. She allegedly claimed his employer prohibited the use of mobile phones and that he would return to India only after obtaining permanent residency, a story police say delayed suspicion for an extended period.
According to Assistant Superintendent of Police Pratibha, the family's doubts intensified when one of Jignesh's cousins planned to travel to Australia and requested his address and contact details. Police said the information was never provided despite repeated requests. When relatives warned they would approach the police, the circumstances surrounding Jignesh's disappearance came under closer scrutiny.
During the investigation, police questioned Prithvi, Nilesh Mansukhbhai Kashetiya, whom investigators describe as her alleged lover, and Balveer Verma, who is accused of assisting in the crime.
Police allege that during interrogation, the suspects admitted that Jignesh was murdered in May 2024.
According to investigators, Jignesh was invited to an industrial shed in the Dared GIDC area under the pretext of consuming alcohol. Police allege that cyanide was mixed into his drink, causing his death.
Investigators further allege that the body was transported to an industrial unit that had originally been leased jointly by Jignesh and Nilesh and is now occupied by a metal works company. Police said the suspects dug a pit approximately 12 feet (3.7 metres) deep inside the factory, buried the body, filled the pit with soil and sealed it beneath a reinforced concrete floor in an effort to permanently conceal the crime.
Following disclosures made during the investigation, police, forensic experts and an executive magistrate supervised an excavation at the site. Heavy drilling machinery was used to break through the concrete floor before excavation teams recovered skeletal remains believed to be those of the missing man.
The remains have been sent for forensic examination, including scientific identification procedures, while investigators continue analysing physical evidence and reconstructing the sequence of events surrounding the alleged killing.
Police have arrested Prithvi Mavadiya, Nilesh Mansukhbhai Kashetiya and Balveer Verma on allegations including murder and destruction of evidence. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities said additional forensic findings will determine the next stages of the case.
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