A 37-year-old woman was discovered dead in the bathroom of her residence in Sohna, Gurugram, on October 16. The victim, identified as Neetu, was reportedly found with her hands and legs bound, and her mouth and nose covered with multiple layers of masking tape. Family members became concerned when they noticed the main door of the house ajar and the interior appeared to have been disturbed. Upon entering, they alerted neighbours, who subsequently informed Neetu’s husband, Prashant Kumar, a private school teacher. Prashant rushed her to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead by medical staff.

Following the discovery, local authorities registered a murder case at the Sadar Sohna police station against unidentified individuals. The investigation revealed that Neetu’s death was allegedly linked to a dispute over family property, raising suspicions about the motive behind the crime.

Alleged Motive Behind the Murder

According to police reports, the primary suspect in the case is Sandeep, 35, who is Prashant’s cousin and Neetu’s brother-in-law. Sandeep, a resident of Daulha in Sohna, had previously been court-martialled and dismissed from the Army in 2023 due to allegations of defrauding civilians while stationed in Roorkee. Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime) Naveen Sharma stated that Sandeep was eager to sell a 1,300-square-yard family property in Sohna and had allegedly received an advance from a prospective buyer approximately six months prior to the incident.

While Prashant was reportedly amenable to the sale, Neetu opposed it. The Assistant Commissioner suggested that her opposition may have been the motive behind her murder, stating, “This was his motive to kill Neetu. She was a hurdle in selling the land.”

Investigators allege that Sandeep subsequently hired two accomplices, Anuj, 29, from Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, and Avnish, 30, from Roorkee, to assist in the crime. Police reports indicate that Sandeep picked up the two men on his motorcycle on the morning of October 16 and brought them to the Sohna residence.

Execution of the Crime

Preliminary investigations suggest that Avnish remained outside to keep watch while Sandeep and Anuj entered the house around 10.05 am. Once inside, the two men allegedly overpowered Neetu, binding her limbs and covering her mouth and nose with several layers of masking tape. Reports indicate that they subsequently strangled her in the bathroom.

Following the murder, the suspects reportedly spent approximately 44 minutes inside the house. To mislead investigators, they allegedly staged a burglary by ransacking the residence before fleeing the scene. This initial staging led police to explore the possibility of a robbery-related motive for the murder.

Arrests Made in Connection with the Case

As the investigation progressed, teams from the Gurugram Police crime branch arrested Sandeep in Daulha on Monday. Anuj and Avnish were apprehended a day later in Roorkee. Authorities are currently delving into the alleged conspiracy, examining the role of each suspect, and scrutinising the circumstances surrounding Neetu’s tragic death.

The investigation continues as police seek to uncover further details regarding the events leading up to the murder and the motivations behind it. The case has drawn significant attention, highlighting issues related to domestic disputes and property conflicts within families.

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