Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh – A chilling case has come to light from Jhansi district, where a retired railway employee, Ram Singh, allegedly murdered his 32-year-old live-in partner, Preeti, concealed her body in a blue trunk, and later attempted to destroy evidence by burning it using coal and wood. The grisly crime, which occurred nearly a week ago, was only discovered after a loader driver hired by Singh grew suspicious of the activities surrounding a large trunk he was asked to transport and disposed of.

The incident underscores not only the complexities of secretive personal relationships but also raises concerns about domestic disputes escalating into extreme violence. According to police, Singh, 62, is married to two women—both named Gita—while maintaining a clandestine relationship with Preeti. At present, Singh remains absconding, and authorities are actively pursuing leads to apprehend him.

How the Crime Was Discovered

The case came to the attention of law enforcement late Saturday night when a loader driver, contracted by Singh to remove a large blue trunk, became suspicious of the heavy trunk’s unusual weight and Singh’s insistence on secrecy. The driver alerted local police, prompting a rapid response.

When officers arrived at the Sipri Bazar area in Jhansi, they found a partially burnt pile of coal and wood, with human ashes and bones inside the trunk. Forensic examination confirmed that the remains were consistent with a human body. Police sources indicate that by the time officers reached the scene, the accused had already fled the area, leaving behind a crime scene marked by destruction and concealment.

The Complex Personal Life of the Accused

Ram Singh, a retired railway employee, leads an unusually complex personal life. He is legally married to two women, both coincidentally named Gita. One of his wives resides in Nandanpura, while the other lives near the Kotwali area of the city. The dual marriages, coupled with his secretive live-in relationship with Preeti, created a web of secrecy that investigators believe may have contributed to the eventual crime.

Police have revealed that Preeti, a 32-year-old woman who was married and lived with her husband near the ITI area, often stayed with Singh at a rented accommodation in Lehar Gaon, under the Sipri Bazar police station jurisdiction. Authorities allege that Singh had specifically arranged the rented space for Preeti, where much of the confrontation between the two took place.

According to Circle Officer Laxmikant Gautam, Singh had frequent arguments with Preeti over financial matters. “She would stay with him in the rented house for periods of time, and it appears disputes regarding money escalated over several days. This may have precipitated the act of violence,” Gautam said.

During the ongoing investigation, Singh’s second wife reportedly provided critical information regarding her husband’s actions and movements after the murder. Her testimony helped police reconstruct the timeline of the crime and understand the extent to which Singh attempted to conceal evidence.

The Alleged Murder and Disposal of the Body

Police allege that following the fatal altercation, Singh placed Preeti’s body inside a large blue trunk. In a calculated attempt to destroy evidence, he reportedly set coal and wood on fire inside and around the trunk to burn the remains. Investigators note that only partial bones remained, indicating the intensity of the burning process.

Gautam further stated that Singh’s minor son is also suspected of assisting in the disposal of the body. “The body had completely turned into ashes, with only a few bones remaining. His son may have helped his father in disposing of the body. A murder case has been registered against the accused, who remains at large. Multiple police teams are actively working to apprehend him,” Gautam said.

Authorities conducting follow-up searches located the rented accommodation where Preeti had stayed. Investigators discovered a stove in the courtyard outside her room. Preliminary forensic analysis suggests that portions of the body may have been burned on this stove following the murder, indicating that Singh attempted to use multiple methods to destroy evidence and hinder identification.

Investigation Underway

The Jhansi police have formed several teams to track down Singh. Officers are combing through local neighborhoods, monitoring the movements of relatives and known associates, and liaising with regional law enforcement agencies to ensure that the accused does not leave the state. Authorities have also collected electronic records, including phone and banking data, to reconstruct Singh’s activities in the week following the murder.

The police are treating the case with high priority, given the premeditated nature of the crime and the calculated steps taken to hide evidence. Investigators note that the combination of familial complexity, a secret live-in relationship, and financial disputes likely contributed to the extreme escalation of the situation.

Legal and Social Implications

The case has sent shockwaves through the local community, raising broader questions about domestic arrangements, live-in relationships, and the safety of women in complex domestic settings. While India recognizes live-in partnerships under law, this incident illustrates how such arrangements can intersect with traditional family structures in ways that may exacerbate conflict, particularly when one party is legally married to multiple partners.

Moreover, the alleged involvement of Singh’s minor son adds an additional dimension to the case, highlighting how children can be caught in the crossfire of family disputes and potentially implicated in criminal acts. Legal experts suggest that if proven, the child’s role would be evaluated under juvenile justice provisions, though the severity of involvement could influence judicial outcomes.

Forensic experts are also examining the methods used by Singh to dispose of the body. Burning a body with coal and wood is both time-consuming and difficult, yet it demonstrates the deliberate effort to destroy evidence and avoid detection. Such methods complicate post-mortem analysis and delay identification, often obstructing timely criminal investigations.

Police Appeal and Public Awareness

The Jhansi police have urged residents to come forward with any information regarding Singh’s whereabouts. Given the high profile and shocking nature of the crime, law enforcement officials are also emphasizing community awareness and vigilance. Authorities have reiterated that citizens play a crucial role in reporting suspicious activity, which in this case was pivotal to uncovering the crime.

The loader driver who alerted the authorities has been praised for his vigilance, as his suspicion directly led to the discovery of the remains. Police officials highlighted that the tip-off allowed them to investigate promptly, preventing further concealment of evidence and increasing the likelihood of apprehending the accused.

Conclusion

This horrifying case from Jhansi underscores the dangers of interpersonal disputes escalating into lethal violence, particularly when compounded by complex familial arrangements and secretive relationships. Ram Singh, a retired railway employee with two legal wives, allegedly murdered his live-in partner Preeti, concealed her remains in a trunk, and attempted to destroy the body through burning. The case has now evolved into a high-priority investigation, with Singh still at large and multiple police teams actively working to track him down.

As the investigation continues, authorities are examining all aspects of the case, including Singh’s financial transactions, movements post-crime, and possible assistance from family members. The tragic death of Preeti highlights the urgent need for awareness around domestic conflicts, the legal protections afforded to live-in partners, and the crucial role of community vigilance in preventing and uncovering violent crimes.

Police officials have assured the public that all efforts are being made to bring Singh to justice, while forensic teams continue to collect and analyze evidence from the crime scene. The case remains under active investigation, with further developments expected in the coming days as authorities intensify their search for the fugitive accused.

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