In a shocking crime in Nishatganj, a 36-year-old woman, Ranjana Verma, allegedly conspired with her 21-year-old lover, Rajan Sharma, to murder her 69-year-old mother-in-law, Nirmala Devi, citing a long-term illicit relationship and family opposition as motives.
Police said the duo tied Nirmala Devi’s hands and legs and strangled her to death on Saturday afternoon inside their home. To avoid suspicion, the accused reportedly switched off the house’s CCTV cameras between 2 pm and 4 pm.
After the murder, Ranjana and Rajan fled in a car, later remotely reactivating the CCTV system. Their plan began to unravel when the victim’s 18-year-old grandson, Aditya, returned home around 4 pm and discovered his grandmother unconscious and bound. He immediately alerted his father, Tridesh Verma, and tried contacting his mother.
The pair then returned home, attempting to stage the murder as a robbery. Ranjana was seen feigning grief, claiming they had been out when the incident occurred.
Police became suspicious after reviewing CCTV footage, which showed Ranjana leaving the house with Rajan. A sniffer dog led officers directly to Rajan, who appeared nervous and evasive.
During interrogation, Rajan admitted to a four-year relationship with Ranjana and confessed that the murder was premeditated because the victim opposed their affair. He also admitted controlling the CCTV system to facilitate the crime, police said.
Mahanagar police officials confirmed that both Ranjana Verma and Rajan Sharma have been arrested, and a case has been registered based on the complaint filed by the victim’s son.
