Affair Dispute Ends in Death: Purnia Murder Case Registered

A family dispute that had reportedly simmered for a long time has ended in a tragedy in Purnia district, Bihar. A man who had objected to his wife's alleged relationship with her brother-in-law was found hanging at his in-laws' house, and his family has demanded a murder investigation.

The incident took place in the Roopauli police station area. The deceased, Santosh Sah, was the son of Anil Sah and a resident of Aajhokopa. His body was discovered at the house of his in-laws in Dobha Goth basti.

Santosh's relatives allege that he was strangled and that his body was then tied to a noose to make the death appear to be a suicide. Based on a written complaint from his father, police have registered a named FIR against four persons.

The family has described a prolonged conflict rooted in both domestic issues and an alleged love affair. Santosh's father, Anil Sah, and his brother, Krishna Kumar, said Santosh was consistently opposed to the alleged relationship between his wife, Reena Devi, and her brother-in-law, Bipin Sah. They claimed that important evidence and recordings about this relationship were stored on Santosh's phone.

The relatives also said Santosh had been threatened with death for objecting to the affair. Repeated trips by his wife to her parents' home without informing him were another frequent source of conflict between them.

Santosh had gone to Dobha Goth basti on Tuesday evening to resolve the dispute and bring his wife back. By Wednesday morning, neighbours had called to inform the family of his death. At first, the family said they were told that he had consumed poison or was asleep. When they reached the house, they found his body hanging from the noose. Marks of assault and injuries were visible, and the family has voiced serious apprehensions of murder.

The Roopauli police registered the case on the basis of the father's written application, adding charges of murder and conspiracy against Reena Devi, Bipin Sah of Kaanp village, Sabo Devi, and Bimla Devi. The accused have been absconding since the incident, and the police are conducting raids to find them.

Roopauli Station House Officer Abhay Ranjan said the case had been registered and that every aspect of the incident was being examined. The body was sent for inquest and then to Purnia Sadar Hospital for post-mortem. Police said the cause of death, whether murder or suicide, will become clear only after the post-mortem and forensic reports are completed.