In a horrifying case of betrayal and violence, a pregnant woman was allegedly murdered by her husband in Rajasthan’s Ajmer district, after he conspired with his girlfriend to eliminate her. The incident, which has left the quiet village of Dodiana in shock, took place in the early hours of April 14.
The accused, 33-year-old Shivji Gurjar — a well-known bhajan singer in the local community — initially attempted to cover up the crime, claiming his 24-year-old wife, Shobha Devi, had either suffered a heart attack or died by suicide. However, a post-mortem later confirmed that Shobha had been strangled to death.
Speaking to the media, Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural) Deepak Kumar detailed how the body was discovered. “On April 14, Shobha Devi’s body was found on the roof of Shivji’s house. There were visible marks on her neck, which immediately raised suspicions,” Kumar said.
A forensic team was dispatched to examine the crime scene, while the body was sent to JLN Hospital, Ajmer for an autopsy by a medical board. The post-mortem results confirmed what the family had feared — Shobha Devi had been manually strangled.
Following this, Shobha’s grieving father, Amararam, lodged a formal complaint at Mangaliyawas police station, accusing his son-in-law and his girlfriend of conspiring to murder his daughter. Acting on the complaint, police quickly arrested both Shivji Gurjar and his alleged accomplice, Rekha.
According to the investigation, Shivji met Rekha five years ago at a local temple, and the two began an illicit relationship. As their affair deepened, it allegedly turned sinister when they plotted to remove Shobha Devi from their lives.
The ASP recounted the sequence of events that led to the murder. “Shivji left for Kesarpura on April 13, under the pretense of attending a bhajan event. He returned home late at night around 1 am, woke his wife, and after a brief conversation, strangled her with a towel,” Kumar explained.
During interrogation, Shivji confessed to the crime and revealed details of the conspiracy hatched with Rekha. The motive, police say, was rooted in their clandestine relationship and Shivji’s desire to be with Rekha without the burden of his marriage and impending fatherhood.
A case has been registered under sections 103(1) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and both accused are now in police custody.
This brutal incident has sparked outrage in the region and reignited discussions on rising cases of domestic and intimate partner violence in India. Locals described Shobha Devi as a gentle, soft-spoken woman who was excitedly awaiting the birth of her child.
“This is not just a murder — it’s a betrayal of trust, a cruelty beyond words. She deserved a life filled with love, not this fate,” a neighbor told reporters.
Authorities have assured that a fast-track trial will be sought to deliver justice swiftly to Shobha Devi’s family.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence or abuse, reach out for help. Helplines and support services are available across the country.
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