Love, Shaadi, Dhoka: From Meerut To Auraiya, UP Sees Series Of Murders Over Extramarital Affairs

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Pragati Ratti

Last Updated:April 01, 2025, 12:18 IST

A psychological expert, while blaming these murders to growing impulsiveness and the prioritisation of emotions over logic, warns that jealousy and possessiveness are pushing people towards deadly choices, making personal relationships a dangerous battlefield.

Uttar Pradesh has witnessed a series of murders fueled by extramarital affairs, with over half a dozen cases, including Meerut’s Saurabh Rajput murder case. However, a psychological expert, while blaming these murders to growing impulsiveness and the prioritisation of emotions over logic, warns that jealousy and possessiveness are pushing people towards deadly choices, making personal relationships a dangerous battlefield.

An expert suggested emotional transparency, mutual respect, and shared responsibilities, pre-marital counseling, periodic relationship check-ins and open conversations about needs and boundaries as a few measures which can play a crucial role in strengthening the marital bonds, thus, bringing down the crime graph, at least where crime is driven by extramarital affairs.

Newly Married Woman Hires Contract Killers to Murder Husband in Auraiya

On March 19, 2025, a brutal case of contract killing emerged in Auraiya, Uttar Pradesh, where 22-year-old Pragati Yadav allegedly conspired with her lover, Anurag Yadav, to murder her husband, Dilip. Just two weeks after their “forced marriage" on March 5, Pragati and Anurag allegedly hired a contract killer, Ramaji Chaudhary, for Rs 2 lakh to eliminate Dilip.

According to police officials, “Pragati and Anurag had been in a relationship for four years, but their families disapproved, forcing Pragati to marry Dilip. Unable to meet after her marriage, the couple plotted to kill him."

On March 19, Dilip was taken to a field, where Ramaji and his accomplices allegedly assaulted and shot him before fleeing. The severely injured Dilip was rushed to a community health centre in Bidhuna, later transferred to Saifai Hospital, then Gwalior, and finally to Auraiya on March 20, where he succumbed to his injuries the next day.

Following a complaint by Dilip’s brother, the police launched an investigation. CCTV footage led to the arrests of Pragati, Anurag, and Ramaji. Authorities also recovered two pistols, live cartridges, a bike, mobile phones, an Aadhar card, and Rs 3,000.

Muzaffarnagar Woman Allegedly Poisons Husband’s Coffee After Returning Home

On March 28, 2025, a shocking incident occurred in Muzaffarnagar’s Bhangela village, where Pinki alias Sana, allegedly tried to poison her husband, Anuj Sharma, after returning home. The couple had a strained relationship, with frequent disputes. Pinki had earlier filed a domestic violence case against Anuj, and after police mediation, he agreed to bring her back for a week. However, their conflicts continued.

On the night of March 25, Pinki allegedly served Anuj coffee laced with poison, leaving him critically ill. “She wanted to kill my brother and poisoned his coffee," claimed Anuj’s sister Meenakshi. He was rushed to the hospital and remains in the ICU, while Pinki reportedly left for her parents’ home after the incident.

Meenakshi also alleged that Pinki had a lover before marriage and continued speaking to him despite Anuj’s objections. “Whenever my brother went to work, Pinki would talk to her lover. She even had feelings for my nephew," she claimed. Upon returning home post-mediation, Pinki allegedly told her mother-in-law, “I have come back with a purpose."

Khatauli Circle Officer Ram Ashish Yadav confirmed, “A case has been registered, and an investigation is ongoing." Anuj’s family is demanding strict action against Pinki.

Saharanpur BJP Leader Kills Wife and Three Children Over Suspicion

On March 22, 2025, another horrific crime unfolded in Saharanpur’s Gangoh area, where BJP leader and property dealer Yogesh Rohila shot his wife Neha and their three children. Two children died on the spot, while Neha and the third child were critically injured. Neha succumbed to her injuries during treatment at Chandigarh PGI.

Senior Superintendent of Police Rohit Singh Sajwan stated, “The accused himself called the police and confessed to the crime. He used his licenced pistol to commit the murders."

During interrogation, Yogesh admitted that he suspected his wife’s character, leading to frequent disputes. “I lost control in anger and shot my wife and children," he confessed.

The accused remains in custody, and authorities are conducting further investigations.

Policeman Kills Wife’s Lover and His Friend in Lucknow

On March 21, 2025, a brutal double murder unfolded in Kakori, Lucknow. Manoj Rajput and his friend Rohit Rajput were found dead near Nagwa Bridge, covered in blood. One had his throat slit, while the other’s wrists were slashed.

The police revealed that Mahendra Kumar, a constable, orchestrated the killings over suspicions of his wife Ankita’s extramarital affair with Manoj.

“I confronted her and gave her a choice. She chose me and promised to distance herself from Manoj," Mahendra confessed. However, learning that Manoj still met his wife, Mahendra plotted his murder.

On March 21, Ankita lured Manoj to Barkatabad Bridge, where Mahendra and his accomplices attacked him with a sickle, killing him on the spot. Rohit, an unintended target, was also murdered to eliminate witnesses.

Despite the elaborate planning, police traced Ankita’s call records. Upon interrogation, she initially misled investigators but later broke down and confessed. “Her confession led us to Mahendra and his accomplices," police stated.

In Pilibhit, Love Affair Leads to Brutal Killing

On January 23, 2025, 28-year-old Muzammil from Bisalpur, Pilibhit district, was brutally murdered over an alleged love affair. His throat was slit, and his genitals were mutilated. Police arrested two suspects, Arhan and Guddu, following a joint operation by Bisalpur and Izzatnagar police.

The murder appeared to be the result of personal enmity, stemming from Muzammil’s alleged relationship with a woman in one of the suspects’ families.

Badaun Murder Case: Husband Kills Dancer Wife, Buries Body in Field

On February 19, 2025, Rizwan, the husband of 25-year-old dancer Muskan, lured her away on the pretext of a ride. Along the way, he picked up an accomplice, who allegedly strangled Muskan while they were still on the moving scooter. Later, a third accomplice joined them, and the trio allegedly buried her body in a field in Dataganj police station limits, pouring water over the grave to prevent detection.

Following intense pressure, police arrested Rizwan and his two accomplices, Ramautar and Radheshyam, on March 31. Investigations revealed that Rizwan paid Rs 70,000 each to his aides to help execute the murder. Rizwan had surrendered in an old court case to avoid suspicion, securing bail before being arrested.

Emotional Transparency, Mutual Respect, and Pre-marital Counseling the Way Out

News18 spoke to the psychological expert Dr Manini Srivastava, Head of the Department of Psychology at the University of Lucknow, who warns that rising emotional impulsiveness and a lack of logical decision-making are fueling these tragedies, turning love and relationships into deadly affairs. “Many individuals today are navigating high-pressure lifestyles, emotional disconnect, and unmet expectations within their marriages. The digital age has further complicated fidelity, with easy access to virtual connections often filling emotional voids. Extramarital affairs, in many cases, are not just about physical attraction but about seeking validation, emotional intimacy, or escape from unresolved conflicts," she explains.

Dr Srivastava emphasises that rather than viewing these cases solely as moral deviations, they should be understood as a reflection of deeper emotional, psychological, and societal shifts.