Torn Saree in Mustard Field Unravels Lucknow Murder Mystery
A torn saree clinging to skeletal remains in a mustard field became the crucial evidence that cracked a murder case in Lucknow. Police arrested a neighbor more than a month after the victim went missing. The crime stemmed from resentment over a broken marriage promise.
Identification Through Clothing
Local resident Pitambar identified the saree found on January 7 in Nagram. He said it resembled the one worn by his wife, Poonam. The 30-year-old woman had been missing since December 12. Police had already registered a missing person's report at Nagram police station.
Investigators traced Poonam's last known movements. Their suspicion quickly fell on Ashish Kumar, a 20-year-old neighbor. He had been in regular contact with the victim before her disappearance.
Broken Promise Leads to Tragedy
Additional DCP Vasanth Rallapalli explained the motive behind the crime. Ashish Kumar believed Poonam would help arrange his marriage with her elder sister's daughter. She had even facilitated talks between the two families.
"When the girl's marriage was later fixed elsewhere, Ashish felt cheated," Rallapalli stated. "What appeared to be a friendly relationship turned into deep resentment."
Joint Investigation Yields Results
Nagram police joined forces with the surveillance cell for the investigation. They used multiple approaches:
- Technical inputs from digital sources
- Local intelligence gathering
- Informer information
This comprehensive effort led to Ashish Kumar's arrest on January 19. Police confirmed the suspect has no prior criminal history.
Reconstructing the Crime
According to police findings, Ashish called Poonam to a garden in Kubhara village on December 12. He strangled her to death in a fit of rage. The initial crime scene was approximately 25 kilometers from where he eventually dumped the body.
"When Poonam's family began searching for her, the accused panicked," the ADCP explained. "Around 10 pm the same night, he carried the body to a mustard field west of the village and dumped it there."
Evidence Recovery and Legal Process
Before disposing of the body, Ashish removed Poonam's anklet and locket. Police later recovered this jewellery from his possession. The victim's family identified these items during the investigation.
After completing all legal formalities, authorities produced Ashish Kumar before a court. The court remanded him to judicial custody as the investigation continues.
The case highlights how traditional police work combined with modern investigative techniques can solve even challenging crimes. The torn saree that seemed like just another piece of evidence became the thread that unraveled the entire mystery.
