Ahmedabad Crime Branch Cracks ‘Accidental Death’ Murder Case
Woman, lover arrested for allegedly killing truck driver husband in Surendranagar
- Ahmedabad Crime Branch uncovers murder hidden as accidental death
- Wife and her alleged lover arrested in Surendranagar case
- Probe reveals failed contract killing before alleged murder conspiracy
- Body was dumped in canal to stage drowning, police say
GG News Bureau
Ahmedabad, 19th May: The Ahmedabad Crime Branch has cracked a murder case initially registered as an accidental death in Surendranagar, arresting a woman and her alleged lover for allegedly conspiring to kill her husband and dump his body in a canal.
According to investigators, the victim, Shantigiri Vishnugiri Goswami, was found dead in a canal area months ago, after which local police had treated the incident as an accidental drowning.
However, Crime Branch officials reopened the investigation following intelligence inputs suggesting foul play and uncovered what police described as a “crime of passion” involving multiple accused and a planned conspiracy.
Police said Shantigiri’s wife, Jagruti Goswami, was previously married to Shantigiri’s younger brother and later eloped with Shantigiri before marrying him.
Investigators alleged that domestic disputes between the couple eventually led Jagruti to develop a relationship with neighbour Kantilal alias Bharatbhai Laljibhai Sabariya.
According to the Crime Branch, the two initially attempted to eliminate Shantigiri by allegedly hiring a contract killer identified as Yunis for ₹25,000.
Police claimed Yunis entered the house one night but failed to carry out the killing after seeing the victim asleep. Instead, he allegedly photographed Shantigiri and falsely claimed the murder had been completed to collect payment.
When the alleged contract killing failed, investigators said Jagruti and Kantilal later conspired to murder Shantigiri inside the house.
According to police, Kantilal allegedly strangled the victim while Jagruti pressed a pillow over his face.
The accused then allegedly hid the body inside the house before seeking help from another man, Deepak alias Munna, who police said was also allegedly involved with Jagruti.
Investigators alleged that the trio transported the body in a car and dumped it into a canal in Surendranagar to make the death appear accidental.
Police further said the accused deliberately spread rumours that Shantigiri had left for work and avoided filing any missing complaint to prevent suspicion.
The case remained undetected for months until Crime Branch officials identified the deceased through human intelligence and linked the circumstances surrounding the death to a murder conspiracy.
On May 18, the Ahmedabad Crime Branch arrested Jagruti Goswami and Kantilal Sabariya on charges including murder, criminal conspiracy and destruction of evidence.
Further investigation into the case is underway.
