A chilling murder case has emerged from Uttar Pradesh’s (UP) Bijnor district, where a woman allegedly shot dead her live-in partner after enduring years of sexual assault, physical abuse and extortion from him, the police said. According to police, the incident came to light on April 29, when the body of the live-in partner was found in a forested area near Julahapur village, and bore numerous bullet wounds. His family lodged a police complaint, and the cops constituted three separate teams to probe the incident.

Probe points to man’s live-in partner

The police identified the deceased as Anuj Kumar. During the probe, the cops’ suspicion narrowed on Shobha Rani, who had been in a live-in relationship with Kumar. According to police, she denied involvement in the crime initially, but broke down during sustained interrogation.

What followed was a never-ending ordeal, which Rani said she had to bear at the hands of Anuj.

Shobha was subjected to sexual, physical abuse

Superintendent of Police (Rural, Bijnor) said that Shobha detailed a history of violence and coercion from Anuj’s side. She said she had been married since 2011, and has a daughter. She, however, parted ways with her husband in 2023, and met Anuj in 2024, after which they began living together.

She alleged that soon after this, Anuj began subjecting her to recurring physical and sexual abuse. He allegedly recorded Shobha’s obscene videos and used them to blackmail her, coercing her into further exploitation. Shobha added to the allegations, claiming that he would frequently demand money from her, and thrash her when she refused.

Anuj harboured malafide intentions towards Shobha’s kin

Furthermore, Shobha claimed that Anuj posed a threat to her family, as he allegedly harboured malafide intentions towards her minor daughter, and had also attempted to molest her younger sister earlier.

Murder unfolds after situation escalates on Apr 28

Shobha confessed about the crime, saying that on the night of April 28, Anuj took her to a cafe before driving her to a village, where he bashed her up and raped her. Initially, Shobha decided to die by suicide, but later rescinded from the decision, citing concerns for her daughter’s safety. In a bid to end the ordeal forever, she allegedly seized Anuj’s pistol and fired multiple rounds at him. He died following the incident.

Acting on the disclosure, the police seized the pistol used in the crime and arrested Shobha. She was produced before a court, which remanded him to judicial custody.