Bihar man found hanging, girlfriend locked in room; posed as siblings to rent house

A young man was found hanging while his girlfriend was locked in another room. Their alleged sibling ruse and fake Aadhaar cards are now under police scrutiny.

In Short

• Police took Archana Kumari into custody and began questioning her
• The pair had reportedly been in a relationship for nine months
• A Friday night argument allegedly preceded the young man's death

A 21-year-old man was found hanging inside a rented house in Bihar's Begusarai district, while his 20-year-old girlfriend was found locked in another room, in a case that has revealed how the couple allegedly concealed their relationship from the landlord by posing as siblings and submitting fake Aadhaar cards.

The incident came to light on Saturday morning in Pipra village under the jurisdiction of Ratanpur police station. The deceased was identified as Amrit Sharma, son of Bharat Bhushan Sharma and a resident of Maheshpur village in Bhagwanpur police station area. His girlfriend, Archana Kumari, belongs to the Neema Chandpura police station area.

Police have taken Archana into custody for questioning. Preliminary investigation points to suicide, though police said further investigation would be conducted after receiving a formal complaint from the family.

COUPLE ALLEGEDLY POSED AS BROTHER AND SISTER

According to the police, Archana had rented a house in Ward 16 of Pipra village around a month ago. She submitted a photocopy of her Aadhaar card to the landlord, which allegedly carried a false address of Daniyalpur and listed Bharat Sharma as her father's name.

She told the landlord that her brother would also be staying with her. Around 15 days after she moved in, Amrit joined her and submitted an Aadhaar card carrying the same father's name and address.

The two reportedly told the landlord that Amrit worked for a private finance company, while Archana was preparing for competitive examinations.

When the landlord grew suspicious about their relationship, the couple allegedly arranged a phone call with another man, who introduced himself as their father and assured the landlord that they would be kept properly.

It was only after the incident that the landlord learnt that the two were in a relationship and had been living together.

DISPUTE PRECEDED DEATH

According to the information available to police, Amrit and Archana had been in a relationship for around nine months. The two reportedly had an argument over an issue on Friday night.

Following the dispute, Amrit allegedly locked Archana inside another room before hanging himself.

On Saturday morning, Archana called Amrit's brother and informed him that the door was not opening and Amrit was not answering his phone.

His brother subsequently reached the rented house and alerted the police. When the doors were opened, Amrit was found hanging inside one room, while Archana was locked inside another.

BROTHER ALLEGES THREATS FROM FORMER BOYFRIEND

Amrit's brother told police that the family had no knowledge that he was living with Archana. He said he had only spoken to her occasionally over work-related matters.

He also alleged that Archana's former boyfriend had threatened to kill Amrit. Police are yet to establish whether the alleged threats had any connection with the incident.

The landlord, meanwhile, said the couple had introduced themselves as siblings and had even arranged for a friend to pose as their father during a phone conversation.

POLICE SUSPECT SUICIDE, PROBE UNDERWAY

Sadar Deputy Superintendent of Police Prashant Kumar said Amrit's body had been recovered and the initial investigation suggested suicide.

He added that the family had not yet submitted a written complaint. A case would be registered under the relevant sections of law after the complaint was received, following which the matter would be investigated.

Police are questioning Archana to establish the circumstances leading to Amrit's death and verify the claims made by his family.

- Ends
With inputs from Sourabh Kumar