UP man killed, death staged as snakebite; cops uncover murder plot by wife, lover

Police in Meerut have arrested a woman, her alleged lover and two others over the death of her husband, initially reported as a snakebite. Investigators say the case points to a carefully planned murder tied to an affair and insurance money.

In Short

• Victim Atul Panwar killed due to wife's affair and insurance lure
• Panwar given sleeping pills overdose before snake was released
• Insurance money of Rs 20 lakh motivated the conspiracy

Four people, including a woman and her alleged lover, have been arrested in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut district over the death of her husband, which was first reported as a snakebite case, police said on Saturday. Police said the victim, Atul Panwar, was allegedly killed as part of a plan hatched by his wife Damini, her alleged lover and two others. They said Panwar was seen as an obstacle to the relationship and that the accused also wanted to claim his insurance money.

Panwar, 35, and Damini had a love marriage in 2019 and lived in Hastinapur, where they ran Krishna Kids Public School. Superintendent of Police Rural Abhijit Kumar said Panwar was taken to a nearby Community Health Centre on Friday morning after he was allegedly bitten by a snake at his house, and was later declared dead.

Kumar said a snake was found on Panwar's bed, but family members suspected foul play, after which police began an investigation. The probe found that Damini had been in frequent contact on mobile phone with Tushar alias Nikki, a driver at the school. During questioning, police said, it emerged that the two were in a relationship and had planned to kill Panwar.

According to Kumar, Panwar was first given an overdose of sleeping pills mixed in milk on the night before the incident. Police said Tushar then, with the help of two associates, Sonu and Uday, brought a snake and released it into Panwar's blanket, leading to his death.

Police said the investigation also found that Panwar had a life insurance policy of about Rs 20 lakh. Sonu and Uday were allegedly promised Rs 5 lakh after the insurance money was received. During interrogation, police also found that around 20 days earlier, Tushar had allegedly tried to kill Panwar by hitting him with a car, but he survived because he was wearing a helmet.

Police have arrested Damini, Tushar, Sonu and Uday Kumar. The case, which began as a suspected snakebite death, has now led to the arrest of four people after police said the killing was the result of a planned conspiracy.

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