A pregnant woman in Gujarat's Kheda district was killed by her husband, who forced her to consume liquid nano urea used in agriculture before attempting to pass off her death as suicide, police said.
The Mahudha police have detained her husband, Mitul Sodha, and brother-in-law, Vipul Sodha, in connection with the case.
The case came to light after the woman, identified as Arunaben, was initially reported to have died by suicide by hanging.
However, a police investigation and the post-mortem examination reportedly indicated that her death was caused by the consumption of a poisonous substance rather than hanging.
According to the complaint filed by Arunaben's brother, Virendrasinh, she had been subjected to physical and mental harassment by her husband, mother-in-law Kailashben, brother-in-law Vipul Sodha and sister-in-law Alpaben over suspicions about her character.
Police said frequent disputes reportedly took place between Arunaben and her husband over allegations of infidelity and their respective relationships.
HUSBAND SEARCHED ONLINE BEFORE INCIDENT
According to the police investigation, Arunaben and Mitul had a heated argument on the night of the incident. Investigators found that Mitul had searched online for information about a husband's responsibility in a woman's suicide case.
Police suspect that Mitul subsequently forced Arunaben onto a sofa and poured liquid nano urea, an agricultural product, into her mouth.
The investigation has also indicated the possible involvement of other family members. Alpaben held Arunaben's legs while Kailashben held her hands during the incident, according to the allegations being examined by police.
After Arunaben's death, the accused attempted to make it appear that she had died by suicide. Investigators suspect that her body was hung with a nylon rope near a window in a room at the rear of the house.
Police further suspect that the body was later taken down to mislead others about the circumstances of her death.
EVIDENCE SEIZED, PROBE UNDERWAY
Investigators said a plastic bag containing the substance was burnt in the household stove, while the incident was kept concealed until the following morning.
The police have seized a nylon rope, a mobile phone, a blade and other items from the scene as part of the investigation.
Mitul and Vipul have been detained, while police are investigating the roles of other family members and whether they helped stage the death as a suicide.
The complaint filed by Arunaben's brother also forms part of the investigation into the harassment she faced before her death.
Police are continuing to examine the evidence to establish the sequence of events and determine the role of each person suspected of involvement in the case.
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