Delhi, India — Authorities have uncovered a gruesome murder involving a 32-year-old civil services aspirant, whose charred remains were discovered earlier this month in a burned-out apartment in Gandhi Vihar. Initially perceived as the aftermath of an accidental fire, the investigation revealed a disturbing crime fueled by passion and revenge.
The victim, Ramkesh Meena, was allegedly killed by his live-in partner, Amrita Chauhan, a 21-year-old forensic science student, alongside her former boyfriend Sumit Kashyap and their acquaintance Sandeep Kumar. Police reports state the trio utilized their knowledge of forensic principles and gas safety to devise a meticulous plan to murder Meena, subsequently igniting his flat to mask their crime.
Following the grim discovery of Meena’s body, investigators quickly apprehended Chauhan and her associates from Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh. The young woman, who had been living with Meena since May, became enraged upon learning that he had recorded intimate videos of her. Despite her repeated demands for the footage to be deleted, he refused, prompting Chauhan to confide in Kashyap for assistance in confronting Meena.
On October 5, the conspirators traveled to Delhi and entered Meena’s apartment under the guise of normalcy. Surveillance footage reveals two masked individuals entering the building, with time-stamped evidence placing them at the scene just moments before an explosion erupted. Initially attributed to a malfunctioning air-conditioner, the fire drew suspicion after authorities studied the footage and the burn patterns in the apartment.
Law enforcement identified Chauhan’s mobile phone location syncing with the timeframe of the crime, subsequently linking her and the two men to the incident. After diligent investigation efforts, police arrested Chauhan on October 18, during which she confessed to her involvement, disclosing the details of the murder plot.
Chauhan, along with Kashyap, allegedly strangled Meena before dousing him in flammable liquids. To trigger an explosion and create the appearance of an accident, Kashyap, who worked in gas distribution, opened the valve of a gas cylinder, executing their deadly plan. In a final attempt to destroy evidence, the trio removed several of Meena’s electronic devices before fleeing the scene, leaving the door locked behind them.
Her academic background and interest in crime narratives were cited as critical factors in planning the murder and fabricating its aftermath. Following her confession, police recovered a variety of items linked to the victim, including a hard disk and personal belongings. Additional arrests followed, with Kashyap taken into custody on October 21 and Kumar on October 23, both of whom acknowledged their participation during questioning.
Inspector Pankaj Tomar has led the investigation, employing a blend of digital tracking, forensic analysis, and intelligence work to unearth the events surrounding the incident. A case has been established under relevant legal provisions dealing with murder and evidence tampering.
All three suspects remain in police custody as the investigation progresses, shedding light on a case that has come to symbolize the darker side of human relationships and the perilous intersection of love, betrayal, and crime.