A man in Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh district has been arrested for allegedly strangling his wife to death and staging a fake road accident to claim a ₹15 lakh life insurance payout, police said Tuesday.
The accused, identified as Mukesh Mehta, had taken out the insurance policy in his wife’s name just three months before her death.
His wife, Sevanti Kumari, died under suspicious circumstances on October 9, following which Mukesh informed relatives that she had died in a road accident.
However, police later determined the crash had been fabricated to conceal the murder.
🚨 Father’s Complaint Exposes the Cover-Up
The crime came to light after Sevanti’s father, Mahavir Mehta, grew suspicious and filed a formal complaint at the local police station.
He told investigators that Mukesh had recently purchased an insurance policy worth ₹15 lakh in his daughter’s name — a fact that raised red flags after her sudden death.
“My daughter never told us about any insurance policy,” Mehta told police.
“After her death, Mukesh’s inconsistent statements and lack of grief made me suspicious.”
🧩 Inconsistencies in Injuries Led to Breakthrough
During the initial post-mortem examination, forensic doctors found only minor external injuries on Sevanti’s body — unusual for a road accident, which typically causes significant trauma.
This prompted police to re-examine the case, suspecting homicide disguised as an accident.
“We noticed that the deceased’s body had very few injuries, which is uncommon in road accidents,” said Ajit Kumar Vimal, a senior police officer in Hazaribagh.
“Moreover, Mukesh’s behavior after his wife’s death — including his absence from the funeral — deepened our suspicion.”
🧠 Confession After Interrogation
Following sustained questioning, Mukesh allegedly confessed to killing his wife by strangulation and later placing her body on a road to make it appear as if she had been hit by a vehicle.
He reportedly planned to claim the insurance amount once the death certificate confirmed it as an accident.
Police said Mukesh was produced before a local court and has been remanded to judicial custody.
⚖️ Investigation Ongoing
Officials said the insurance documents, phone records, and CCTV footage from nearby areas are being examined to determine whether anyone else was involved in planning or covering up the crime.
“We are verifying whether Mukesh acted alone or had any accomplices.
The insurance company has been informed, and the payout has been frozen pending investigation,”
a senior police source said.
📊 Case Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Victim | Sevanti Kumari |
| Accused | Mukesh Mehta (husband) |
| Location | Hazaribagh, Jharkhand |
| Date of Death | October 9, 2025 |
| Insurance Policy | ₹15 lakh (taken 3 months ago) |
| Cause of Death | Strangulation (faked as accident) |
| Current Status | Mukesh arrested, in judicial custody |
| Investigation | Insurance, forensic and phone data under review |
