Raipur: Four days after the body of a woman lawyer was discovered in a forest in Chhattisgarh's Raigarh district, police on Saturday claimed to have solved the murder with the arrest of her alleged lover. According to officials, he killed her following repeated arguments over marriage.
Victim and Accused Details
The 30-year-old victim, a junior advocate practicing at Raigarh district court and a member of the district bar association, was found dead on May 12 in the Punjipathra forest region. Her face had been smashed with a stone, and injury marks were found on her neck.
Police arrested Loknath Patel, 30, a resident of Charpara, who worked as a labourer. Investigators revealed that Patel came into contact with the woman through social media in 2024, and their friendship gradually turned into a relationship.
Motive and Planning
As Patel was already married, it led to frequent disputes, police said. He allegedly planned the murder and bought a vegetable-cutting knife before taking her out. On May 10, Patel took her towards Sakti on his bike for a two-day outing.
The next morning, around 5:30 am, Patel took her towards Tumidih forest on his bike. There, he first strangled her, then smashed her head and face with a stone to conceal her identity. When he realised she was still breathing, he slit her throat with the knife.
Efforts to Mislead Police
Investigators said Patel removed her clothes and scattered them near the body to mislead police. He threw them near a pond, burnt her Aadhaar and ATM cards, and later smashed her mobile phone before dumping it near a drain.
Legal Community Outrage
The case sparked outrage among the legal fraternity soon after information about the body of the woman lawyer went viral. Members of the Raigarh district bar association met the SSP on Friday and demanded strict action. The association also resolved that no local advocate would represent the accused and requested outside lawyers not to take up his defence.
Investigation and Arrest
Police said CCTV footage, bike number details, mobile location, and technical evidence helped them trace Patel. He has been booked for murder and other offences, and further investigation is ongoing, cops said.
Investigators reiterated that Patel came in contact with the woman through social media, and because he was already married, it led to frequent disputes, over which he killed her.
