A 22-year-old woman in Gujarat’s Bhavnagar was found murdered inside the home she shared with her fiancé, barely an hour before the two were set to be married. The incident has sent shockwaves through the Prabhudas Lake area near Tekri Chowk, where residents woke up to police sirens instead of wedding music.

Argument Over Saree and Money Turns Deadly

According to investigators, the couple Soni Himmat Rathod and Sajan Baraiya had been living together for nearly a year and a half. Most wedding rituals had already been completed, and the marriage was scheduled for Saturday night. However, the pair reportedly got into a heated fight shortly before the ceremony, allegedly over a saree and money.

Deputy Superintendent of Police RR Singhal confirmed the sequence of events.
“The couple were living together despite opposition from their families. They were living together for one to one-and-a-half years. Yesterday was their wedding. The two had an argument over saree and money,” he said.

He added that during the altercation, “Sajan hit Soni with an iron pipe. He also smashed her head against the wall, killing her on the spot.”

Attack Followed Night of Violence

Police sources revealed that the killing came just hours after Sajan had been involved in a separate confrontation in the same neighbourhood. Earlier that day, he allegedly fought with a neighbour, prompting a complaint to be filed against him. Officers stated that he appeared agitated and aggressive when seen in the area before the murder.

Some locals reported that he had been involved in multiple altercations the previous night as well, including vandalising property and threatening people. Residents said he left the street in fear after making threats, only to return the next morning and resume fighting this time with Soni.

Wedding Preparations Turn Into Crime Scene

When police reached the house, they found signs of vandalism along with the victim’s body. The wedding mandap was still set up outside, while inside, Soni with bridal mehndi still on her hands lay dead. The body was sent for post-mortem examination shortly after officers arrived.

A separate account from Soni’s family stated that tensions between the couple had been escalating since the night before the murder. Her brother alleged that Soni had briefly taken refuge at her grandmother’s house after a dispute, but Sajan forcibly took her away later that night. The family said they had searched for her through the night, only to learn of her death in the morning.

Police Launch Manhunt for Accused

After the murder, Sajan reportedly fled the scene. Police teams began searching the surrounding areas, describing him as unstable and potentially dangerous.
Authorities confirmed that a fresh complaint had been registered in connection with the killing and that additional charges may follow once the suspect is found.

DSP Singhal said a detailed investigation is underway, with both past incidents and the events leading up to the murder being reviewed.

“The woman’s body has been sent for post-mortem and a detailed probe is underway,” he said.

Family Faces Dual Tragedy

Adding to the emotional weight of the case, police said Soni’s family had performed the last rites of a relative just a day earlier. The sudden collapse of their wedding plans into a homicide has left the household devastated.