Hazaribag: A 32-year-old woman and her 24-year-old lover were arrested on Saturday for allegedly strangling her 40-year-old husband to death at Bonga village in Hazaribag district, police said.The victim, Virendra Prajapati, was found dead at his home around 7:30 am. His wife, Sanju Devi, and Rajan Kumar Mehta, a resident of the same village, were detained and subsequently arrested.Police said Rajan and Sanju had allegedly been in a relationship for two years. “During questioning, the two confessed to killing Virendra,” Ichak police station officer in-charge Gautam Kumar Singh said.Police said the accused conspired to kill Virendra on Aug 14 as they considered him an obstacle to their relationship. Rajan allegedly strangled him with a black towel while Sanju assisted.Relatives said Virendra and Sanju went to sleep in their room on Friday night. Around 3 am, relatives and neighbours were informed that his condition had suddenly deteriorated. Those who reached the house allegedly noticed scratch marks on his face and neck and suspected foul play.Virendra’s brother, Rahul Kumar, sought a fair and thorough investigation. A neighbour, Pradeep Prajapati, told police he heard cries from the couple’s room around 3 am and later noticed marks on Virendra’s face and neck.Acting on the directions of Hazaribag SP Aman Kumar, a police team led by Singh reached the spot with forensic personnel. Police recovered the towel, a pillow, a polythene sheet and two mobile phones.Virendra’s body was sent to Sheikh Bhikhari Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem examination. The accused were produced before a court and remanded in judicial custody.Virendra and Sanju had been married for 12 years and had three children.
