Kurukshetra woman held after husband found dead; liver and kidney missing, police probe organ link

A 40-year-old man was found dead at his rented accommodation in Kurukshetra on Saturday, and police have booked his wife on suspicion of murder. The woman, who allegedly jumped from the terrace after being confronted by the landlord, is undergoing treatment for injuries sustained in the fall.

The deceased has been identified as Rajesh, a native of Dhampur village in Uttar Pradesh’s Sitapur district. He had been living in a rented house near Raj Palace on Pehowa Road with his wife, Vimla Devi, for about a year. According to police and the landlord, Rajesh worked as a water supplier for a water trading company on Pehowa Road.

Landlord Rinku told police that he heard the couple arguing at around 5 pm on Saturday and went to the terrace to check. There, he allegedly found Rajesh lying in a pool of blood with deep injuries to his abdomen and saw the wife putting Rajesh’s protruding intestines into a plastic bag. On noticing the landlord, she reportedly panicked and jumped from the terrace. She sustained serious injuries, including spinal injuries, and was taken to hospital.

The couple had been married for several years but had no children, according to the landlord. Rinku also told police that the woman was involved in 'jhaad-phoonk', a traditional practice associated with healing and exorcism, and that the couple frequently quarrelled.

Police recovered three knives of different sizes from the scene and collected forensic evidence. The post-mortem examination revealed that Rajesh’s abdomen had been cut open over a length of about 35 centimetres, with deep injuries to internal organs and his intestines protruding from the body. The examination also found that a substantial portion of his liver and his right kidney were missing.

Forensic expert Dr Gaurav Kaushik said about half of the deceased’s liver and his right kidney were missing and a deep incision of about 37 centimetres was found on the abdomen with intestines protruding. Police are investigating the whereabouts of the missing organs and whether their disappearance is connected with the killing.

Adarsh police station SHO Surender Sandhu said the woman would be questioned once her medical condition improves. Police will proceed with her arrest and interrogation accordingly. The exact motive for the alleged murder has not yet been established, police said.

The incident took place at a rented accommodation near Raj Palace on Pehowa Road. Police teams led by Station House Officer Surinder Singh reached the house after receiving information. A case has been registered at the KUK police station on the complaint of landlord Rinku Singh.

According to police, Rajesh was allegedly stabbed multiple times with a knife. The accused, identified in some police reports as Bimla Devi, was taken to LNJP Hospital in Kurukshetra for treatment. Police said she would be arrested after she was discharged from the hospital. The body was handed over to the family after the postmortem.