A horrific case of domestic violence has shaken the Ludhiana district of Punjab, where a man is accused of brutally beating his eight-months-pregnant wife to death. The incident occurred in the Raja Colony area of Daba, exposing a grim tale of alleged alcoholism and abuse within the household.
Victim's Kin Allege Drunken Rage Led to Murder
According to the victim's family, the accused, identified as 40-year-old Vijay Kumar, was a habitual drunkard. The fatal assault is said to have taken place on Monday when Kumar, in an inebriated state, thrashed his wife, 38-year-old Pushpa Devi. The kin stated that Pushpa often urged her husband to quit alcohol, which would frequently lead to violent confrontations.
Pushpa Devi, who was in the final trimester of her pregnancy, succumbed to the injuries inflicted during this assault. This was her second marriage, having been wedded to Vijay for four years. The couple has a two-year-old son together. From her first marriage, Pushpa has two other children, who currently reside with her parents.
Attempted Cover-Up and Police Intervention
Following Pushpa's death, Vijay Kumar initially tried to pass it off as a natural death. He informed her parents that she had died after suffering a fit, a condition she was known to have. However, the attempt to conceal the crime quickly unraveled.
Pushpa's brother, Ajay, and other family members noticed visible injury marks and bruises on her body, raising immediate suspicion. They promptly alerted the police. Based on the complaint filed by Pushpa's brother, a murder case was registered at the local police station.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP-Industrial Area-B) Satwinder Singh Virk provided details of the case. "After Pushpa collapsed and died, Vijay told her parents that she died naturally. However, the woman's body had bruises, which made the matter suspicious," the ACP stated. He also mentioned that Vijay sustained an injury on his nose, leading investigators to suspect that Pushpa might have tried to hit back in self-defense during the attack.
Accused Arrested, Awaits Justice
The police acted swiftly and arrested the accused, Vijay Kumar, who works as a contractual employee with the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation. The authorities are now awaiting the crucial autopsy report to confirm the exact cause of death and document the full extent of injuries.
This tragic incident has once again highlighted the deadly intersection of domestic violence and substance abuse in Indian households. It underscores the urgent need for stronger intervention mechanisms and support systems for victims facing such perilous situations within their own homes.
