Chilling new details have emerged in the murder of 33-year-old engineer Surya Pratap Singh, who was found dead with his throat slit inside his Green City residence in Lucknow on December 7. Police allege he was killed by his 49-year-old live-in partner, Ratna Devi, who has since confessed to the crime, claiming sustained abuse, confinement, and a final act of violence against her daughter that pushed her over the edge.

The case has gripped Uttar Pradesh, not only because of the brutality of the killing but also due to the tangled layers of alleged child abuse, domestic surveillance, financial disputes, and competing narratives from the victim’s and the accused’s families. Investigators describe the situation as a complex domestic environment where simmering tensions erupted into lethal violence.

Months Inside a Surveillance State

According to police statements, Ratna told interrogators that Surya kept her and her two teenage daughters confined to the house for months. Three CCTV cameras had been installed inside the home, and Surya reportedly monitored the live feed on his phone at all times.

Officers investigating the case say this level of constant surveillance created an environment of fear and entrapment. The daughters told authorities that they rarely stepped outside without facing questions, and that every movement inside the house appeared to be tracked.

Police believe this atmosphere of control played a significant role in the escalation of the household conflict—contributing to the volatility that ultimately led to the murder.

Alleged Abuse of Elder Daughter Triggered the Attack

Though tensions had been rising for months, police say the immediate trigger was Surya’s alleged assault on Ratna’s elder daughter on the night of the murder.

Ratna told police that Surya saw a photograph of a male friend on the 17-year-old girl’s phone and became enraged. He allegedly dragged her into a room and assaulted her while shouting accusations. Her screams brought Ratna and the younger daughter running.

When Surya opened the door, Ratna says both teenagers grabbed his arms and pushed him to the floor, trying to restrain him. In her confession, Ratna said:
“Both my daughters held his hands and pushed him to the ground and I ran to the kitchen, fetched a knife and attacked his throat.”

Police say Surya was stabbed multiple times, with the fatal injury being a deep cut across the throat. The involvement of both minors has led authorities to place them under protective custody as the investigation continues.

A Childhood Under Restrictions

Investigators have also learned that the two girls lived under severe restrictions imposed by Surya. According to BBD SHO Ram Singh, they were prohibited from using social media, watching reels, or interacting freely with peers. Their access to mobile phones was limited, and their movements were monitored.

Police also say Surya forced the elder daughter to quit school for a period; she was allowed to resume Class 12 only after repeated disputes between him and Ratna. Officers believe these conditions may have deepened resentment and fueled the explosive confrontation on the night of the murder.

A Property Dispute That Added Fuel to the Fire

Beyond allegations of abuse, the couple had been embroiled in a serious conflict over property rights.

Surya and Ratna had lived together for nearly two years. According to police, Surya purchased the plot where the house stands, but Ratna financed the construction using money she received after her husband’s death. This combination of financial contributions led to an uneasy sense of shared ownership—but one that lacked legal clarity.

Investigators say this “blend of emotional and financial entanglement” resulted in frequent arguments. Ratna allegedly demanded that the house be transferred to her name. Surya refused, deepening the rift between them. Police believe the property dispute may have influenced both the tensions within the household and the competing claims now being made by the victim’s family.

The Victim’s Family Claims a Conspiracy

Surya’s father, Narendra Singh, has rejected Ratna’s allegations and instead accused her and her daughters of plotting the murder. He insists the killing was premeditated and carried out to seize control of Surya’s assets, including the disputed house.

According to him, Surya first met Ratna in 2012 when he was tutoring her daughters. Ratna, who was estranged from what the family describes as an alcoholic and abusive husband, grew close to Surya over the years, particularly after her husband’s death in 2014.

Narendra Singh alleges that Ratna and her daughters “lived lavishly” on Surya’s income from his job as an executive engineer. He also claims the family was searching for a prospective bride for Surya, unaware of the live-in relationship. “He spoke to me on Sunday afternoon and even sent money,” the father said, insisting that his son had no plans to stay permanently with Ratna.

Singh has filed a case accusing Ratna and both daughters of premeditated murder, conspiracy, and attempting to seize the house and other assets belonging to his son.

A Case with Layers Still Unfolding

Police say the case involves overlapping allegations:

• A woman’s claim of abuse, confinement, and surveillance.
• A father’s charge of conspiracy and property-driven murder.
• Conflicting timelines and accounts of coercion and control inside the home.
• The involvement of two minors who may have been witnesses, victims, or active participants in the violent outcome.

Authorities are now piecing together digital evidence from the CCTV system, phone records, financial documents, and witness statements to determine the sequence of events leading up to the killing.

The post-mortem report, forensic analysis of the crime scene, and psychological assessment of the minors are also expected to shape the final police findings.

As investigators sift through the layers of abuse allegations, surveillance data, and family claims, the case stands as a stark reminder of how domestic tensions—fueled by control, mistrust, and unresolved conflict—can spiral into irreparable tragedy.

More details are expected as the police prepare their final charge sheet and determine the roles and culpability of each individual present that night.