In Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, a shocking family crime unfolded involving affairs, gold theft, and murder. Police arrested Pooja, the younger daughter-in-law of 54-year-old Sushila Devi, along with Pooja’s sister Kamla and Kamla’s lover Anil Verma. The trio allegedly conspired to kill Sushila and steal jewellery worth Rs 8 lakh.
Sushila Devi, the family matriarch and widow, was found dead in her home in Kumhariya village on June 24. The cause of death is still under investigation. Police arrested Pooja and Kamla within 48 hours based on forensic evidence, witness testimonies, and family interrogations. Anil Verma, who fled the village after the crime, was intercepted while trying to sell the stolen jewellery.
During a police encounter, Verma fired at officers and was injured in the retaliatory gunfire. He is currently admitted to Jhansi Medical College under armed guard. Police recovered stolen gold, silver jewellery, a motorcycle, and a country-made pistol from the accused.
The motive behind the crime reportedly stemmed from a prolonged domestic dispute over inheritance and land rights. After the death of her husband, Pooja entered a live-in relationship with her brother-in-law Kalyan Singh, who later died. She then began a controversial relationship with another brother-in-law, Santosh, who was already married and had a legal wife named Ragini. The complex family tensions escalated with disagreements over the sale of 8 bighas (about 3.2 acres) of agricultural land that Pooja claimed as her share.
Pooja admitted in her confession that she orchestrated the murder to remove Sushila Devi, the primary obstacle to her plans. Following the killing, the house was ransacked, and valuables were stolen. The police are now reopening investigations into the deaths of the two brothers-in-law.
