- Man killed 13-week pregnant wife with family's help.
- Staged murder as suicide after Googling legal consequences.
- Police investigation led to husband's arrest, family sought.
Gujarat: In a shocking incident from Gujarat's Kheda district, a man allegedly murdered his 13-week pregnant wife with the help of his family members and attempted to cover it up as a suicide, police revealed following a detailed investigation. The matter unravelled after the victim's family raised doubts about the circumstances surrounding her death.
What Happened?
On October 17, local authorities were alerted that Arunaben Sodha had allegedly hanged herself at her residence in the Mahudha area of Kheda district.
A police investigation later revealed that Arunaben had suffered severe abdominal pain on the night of the incident and repeatedly asked her husband, Mitul Sodha, to take her to a doctor. Mitul reportedly ignored her requests while staying occupied with his phone, leading to an argument during which a frustrated Arunaben remarked that she would rather die.
Husband Googles Suicide Laws In India
Hearing his wife's remark, Mitul used Google to search whether he could face legal consequences if his wife died by suicide. After looking up the law, Mitul and his family members plotted to murder Arunaben and stage it as a suicide to mislead police.
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Pinned Down By In-Laws, Liquid Urea Poured Down Her Throat
According to police, Arunaben was pinned down by her mother-in-law and sister-in-law while Mitul forcibly poured a toxic chemical from a household packet down her throat. To silence her screams, her mouth was stuffed with a cloth.
The post-mortem examination found that the liquid urea forced down Arunaben's throat generated toxic ammonia gas, causing respiratory failure and shutting down vital organs. Both Arunaben and her 13-week-old unborn child died.
Staged Murder As Suicide
To cover up the murder, Mitul and his family members hanged Arunaben's lifeless body from a window using a nylon rope to simulate suicide. However, the doctors revealed that the ligature marks on her neck occurred after death and that lethal chemical traces were present in her system.
Police Investigation And Arrests
Utilising technical surveillance, cyber-forensics, and medical evidence, police arrested Mitul and his brother, Vipul. Law enforcement agencies continue efforts to apprehend the victim's mother-in-law and sister-in-law, who remain at large.