KANPUR: Panic spread in Barra area in Kanpur, after the bodies of a couple who had solemnised a court marriage were found in a rented room.Police identified the deceased couple as Saurabh Savita (23) and his wife Shalini alias Rani (20). Police said Saurabh allegedly strangled Shalini to death, applied vermilion in the parting of her hair and then hanged himself. Police are investigating the matter.The incident took place in Barra 7 on Tuesday. Police said Saurabh allegedly strangled Shalini with a dupatta. Police broke open the door, which was locked from inside, and recovered the bodies. Shalini’s body was found lying on a mat in the room, while Saurabh was found hanging from a noose.When the forensic team examined the room, sindoor was found scattered on the floor, with a box of sindoor lying nearby. Shalini’s hair was filled with sindoor, while traces of it were also found on Saurabh’s hands and feet. Police suspected that after killing his wife, Saurabh applied vermilion in her head before hanging himself.Marks indicating strangulation with a cloth were found on Shalini’s neck. The forensic team collected evidence from the spot. Police began trying to ascertain the reason behind the incident and examined the mobile phone records and social media accounts of both.The two were cousins. About four months ago, they had solemnised a court marriage without the consent of their families. Shalini’s family members arrived after receiving information from Barra police, but Saurabh’s family did not reach the spot.Shalini’s family members said Naresh Savita, a resident of Chhattiskala Purwa in Sachendi, ran a salon in the village and that his son Saurabh also helped him at the shop.Police said Saurabh had been in a relationship with his cousin Rani for three years and that there had often been disputes between their families over the relationship. The dispute escalated about four months ago after the two were seen together, following which both families took Saurabh and Shalini to Sachendi police station.Since both were adults, police counselled the families and sent them back. The next day, Saurabh and Shalini solemnised a court marriage without their families’ consent and moved to Delhi.After returning from Delhi, the couple rented a room just five days ago on the second floor of a house owned by contractor Gyan Singh, a resident of Barra 7.On Tuesday afternoon, Neelam, who lived on the first floor, went to the terrace to hang clothes. Through the ventilator above the door, she saw Saurabh hanging inside the room. She raised an alarm and informed the landlord. Barra police arrived shortly afterwards.A phone number belonging to Shalini’s uncle was written in a register kept nearby. Police contacted him using the number and informed him about the incident.DCP South Deependra Nath Chaudhary said, “The room door was locked from inside. Marks of strangulation were found on the woman.” He said that, based on the crime scene, it appeared that Saurabh had killed his wife before hanging himself. The reason behind the incident was being ascertained.
