Family Feud Turns Deadly in Nalanda: Sonu Kumar Murdered Over Illicit Relationship

A murder investigation in Nalanda district has uncovered a chilling tale of betrayal and revenge. Sonu Kumar, a 37‑year‑old pathology worker from Cheran, was stabbed to death in the village of Mudhadi, Harnaut police jurisdiction. The killing triggered a massive protest that blocked NH‑20 for hours, pressuring police to act swiftly.

Detectives examined Sonu’s phone records and identified Mukesh Kumar, a resident of Harnaut market, as the prime suspect. Mukesh explained that after his marriage roughly two and a half years ago, he was introduced to Sonu, who lived nearby and was considered a close family associate. Over time, Sonu’s habit of staying at the in‑laws’ house—using their kitchen, sleeping in rooms, and generally behaving like a family member—raised Mukesh’s suspicion.

Friends later confessed to Mukesh that Sonu had been maintaining a clandestine affair with his mother‑in‑law for several years. The constant jokes and lewd comments from his peers about this alleged liaison tormented Mukesh, prompting him to confront the situation. He voiced his objection to his wife, mother‑in‑law, and Sonul, emphasizing that the relationship, though past, could not be ignored because it brought disgrace to the family.

The dispute escalated, leading both men to file complaints at the local police station. Fed up with the mockery, Mukesh plotted a revenge scheme. He called Sonu under a false pretext to meet at Shivaji Mohalla, where he lay in wait. With a knife, Mukesh struck Sonu repeatedly on the head, neck, and back. When the assault did not immediately end his life, Mukesh seized a metal rod and delivered additional blows to the skull. Sonu was rushed to a hospital but died later during treatment at PMCH.

The decisive evidence came from the mobile‑call logs that linked Mukesh to the crime. Police also recovered a Glamour motorcycle used during the attack. The investigation revealed that Sonu, despite being single, had become financially supportive of Mukesh’s mother‑in‑law after her husband’s death, which made it difficult for family members to oppose the liaison. Nonetheless, for Mukesh, the ongoing scandal became unbearable, driving him to commit murder.