Meerut, Uttar Pradesh: The Meerut Snakebite Murder case has taken a shocking turn after police arrested a woman, her alleged lover, and two snake charmers for allegedly murdering her husband by staging a snakebite inside their home.
According to police, Atul Kumar Panwar (32) died on July 17 after he was allegedly given milk mixed with sleeping pills before a krait snake was used to bite him. Investigators believe the accused planned the attack to make the death appear as a natural snakebite.
Police identified the main accused as Damini, her alleged lover Tushar, and two snake charmers who are accused of helping carry out the crime. The Meerut Snakebite Murder investigation revealed that the group had earlier tried to kill Atul by ramming him with a car around 20 days before the fatal incident, but that attempt reportedly failed.
Investigators said the alleged conspiracy was driven by the affair between Damini and Tushar, which had reportedly lasted for about three months. Police also suspect that concerns about social stigma surrounding divorce and a ₹20 lakh life insurance policy were among the reasons behind the alleged murder. According to investigators, the accused allegedly planned to share the insurance money after Atul’s death.
The case came to light after Atul’s father expressed suspicion over the circumstances of his son’s death and approached the police. During the investigation, officers examined phone records, recovered a photograph from Tushar’s mobile phone, and collected forensic evidence, which they said helped expose the alleged plot.
Police arrested all four accused on July 18 and have started further legal proceedings. Officials said the investigation is continuing to gather additional evidence and complete the case.
The incident has drawn attention because it is reported to be the second alleged staged snakebite murder in Meerut within the past year, raising fresh concerns over such unusual methods of planned killings.