Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan — A shocking case of betrayal and murder has sent ripples through two closely connected families in Rajasthan’s Sri Ganganagar district, as police reveal grim details about what they now describe as a “honeymoon murder.”
23-year-old Anju, who had married 27-year-old Ashish just three months ago, stands accused of orchestrating his murder with the help of her former boyfriend and his friends. What initially appeared to be a tragic road accident has now been reclassified as a cold-blooded killing following a detailed police investigation.
A Match That Seemed Perfect
On paper, the couple’s marriage looked ideal. Ashish, a postgraduate in geology pursuing a B.Ed., and Anju, an M.Com student, belonged to families with deep social ties — so much so that relatives had celebrated two other marriages between the same extended families in the past.
But beneath this facade, police allege that Anju was secretly involved with Sanju, a man who works as a waiter at wedding events. According to investigators, the relationship had endured for nearly seven years, and family members may have been aware of it long before Anju married Ashish.
The Fatal Evening
On the evening of January 30, the couple went for a routine walk together with Ashish’s cousin and his wife. While this was a typical habit for them, relatives noted that the route they took — a relatively isolated stretch — was unusual. Shortly after, both Ashish and Anju were found lying unconscious on the roadside.
Initially, the incident was treated like a hit-and-run accident. Anju, injured herself, told rescuers that her gold jewellery had been stolen during the chaos. Ashish, however, was declared dead at a nearby health centre.
From Accident to Murder
Police quickly became suspicious of inconsistencies in Anju’s account and the physical evidence at the scene. A post-mortem and forensic analysis showed that Ashish had been strangled, and his injuries did not match those typical of a traffic collision.
Further inquiry uncovered a chilling plot: investigators believe that Sanju and two accomplices waited for the couple along the isolated road, ambushed Ashish when they arrived, and killed him. Anju is accused of lying down nearby and feigning unconsciousness to support her staged accident story while handing her earrings to Sanju immediately after the killing.
Families in Shock
Ashish’s relatives have been left devastated by the news. His father has publicly demanded that Anju face the death penalty, insisting that he saw no signs of hostility or distress in her behavior prior to the murder. Neighbours and villagers say they are still reeling from the betrayal, recalling the joyous wedding celebrations held only months earlier.
In Anju’s own neighbourhood in Sadulshahar’s Chhajgariya Mohalla, the mood is one of shame and disbelief. Residents described her upbringing and said they never suspected such a heinous act. Anju’s uncle told reporters the family was unaware of her renewed contact with Sanju and expressed regret that they did not foresee the outcome.
Legal Proceedings Underway
Police have arrested Anju, her alleged lover, and two associates in connection with the murder. As investigations continue, authorities say they are gathering more evidence to build the case and have not ruled out further detentions.
The incident has drawn comparisons to other high-profile spousal murder cases in India, reviving public debate about marital discord, trust, and the extent to which personal relationships can turn deadly.
