The Chhattisgarh Police on Monday stated that a 28-year-old woman was allegedly murdered by her estranged husband and his accomplice in Chhattisgarh’s Kabirdham district, with the duo later burying her body in a forest.
The suspects, Lukesh Sahu (29) and Raja Ram Sahu (26), reportedly drew inspiration from the Bollywood film ‘Drishyam’, watching it to learn how to conceal the crime and avoid arrest. Officials stated, “Before committing the offense, the two accused watched the movie to understand how to hide the body and evade law enforcement.”
The crime occurred on July 19, and the police arrested the accused on Sunday, August 11. The victim’s father, Ramkhilawan Sahu, had reported her missing on July 22, prompting an investigation, according to Kabirdham Additional Superintendent of Police Vikas Kumar.
Lukesh, who had separated from his wife three years ago due to suspicions of infidelity, had been ordered by a court to pay monthly maintenance for their three children. However, Lukesh claimed the payments had left him financially strained.
The victim had also been in a relationship with Raja Ram, who allegedly became frustrated with her frequent demands for money. Raja Ram had reportedly given her ₹1.50 lakh in cash and electronic gadgets from his shop. The two men, who were acquainted, decided to eliminate the woman.
Using technical evidence, call records, and suspect interrogations, the police zeroed in on the two men and apprehended them. The accused admitted to having plotted the murder for a month, during which they studied Drishyam for inspiration. Raja Ram reportedly watched the film four times, while Lukesh watched it once.
On July 19, Raja Ram lured the woman to Ghanikhuta forest on her two-wheeler, where Lukesh joined them. The men allegedly strangled her with her saree, buried her body in a valley, and disposed of her two-wheeler and mobile phone in the Karranala barrage. They also hid her jewelry near an electric pole in the village and discarded the tools used to dig the grave in a nearby rivulet.
Police recovered the woman’s body, her vehicle, jewelry, and other items used in the crime. Both accused were arrested, and further investigation is ongoing.
