Lucknow: A missing person’s complaint filed by a cab driver turned into a murder investigation after police arrested him and his alleged lover for killing his wife and dumping her body in the Gomti river, while allegedly trying to project the death as a case of elopement.The accused, Umendra Pratap Singh (31) of Rahimabad, approached police on Jul 31 claiming that his wife, Anjali Singh, had gone missing on the intervening night of Jul 30 and 31, leaving home with her jewellery.While police were searching for the woman, an unidentified body was found in Gomti river in Itaunja. Family members later identified the body as Anjali’s.Suspicion deepened after Anjali’s brother accused Umendra of involvement in her death. Police registered a murder case and began analysing mobile phone locations and electronic evidence.“What appeared to be a missing person case unravelled after technical evidence contradicted the husband’s claims,” said Rahimabad SHO Anil Kumar Trigunayak.Investigators said Umendra had attempted to create an alibi by portraying himself as a worried husband searching for his missing wife. The digital trail led police to him, resulting in his arrest near Adaura Mod on Aug 1.During questioning, police said, Umendra disclosed he and his alleged lover, Aarti Verma (31), a call centre employee, had conspired to kill Anjali after she learnt about their relationship and opposed it.According to police, the duo smothered Anjali on the night of Jul 30 and later transported her body in a hatchback car before dumping it into the Gomti river in Itaunja.Investigators said Umendra removed Anjali’s jewellery from the house and handed it over to Aarti before filing the missing complaint to create the impression that his wife had fled with valuables.Police later arrested Aarti and recovered 32 gold and silver ornaments worth Rs 8-10 lakh, two mobile phones and the car used in the crime.Both accused were sent to judicial custody. Police are continuing the investigation and verifying Umendra’s criminal antecedents, including an assault case registered against him in Hardoi in 2020.
