UP Woman Kills Mother-In-Law Over Land; Had Affair With Dead Husband’s Brother, Allegedly Involved With Father-In-Law

In a shocking case from Jhansi, a 29-year-old woman named Pooja Jatav is under investigation for the murder of her mother-in-law, allegedly motivated by greed for ancestral land. But as the police dug deeper, they discovered a disturbing web of betrayal, multiple illicit relationships, and a cold-blooded conspiracy that stunned the local community.

The case began on June 24, when 60-year-old Sushila Devi from the Tahrauli area of Jhansi was found dead under suspicious circumstances. Initially suspected to be a robbery, the investigation soon took a dark turn when Sushila’s daughter-in-law, Pooja, went missing shortly after the murder. Her sudden disappearance raised red flags, prompting the police to intensify their probe. With investigation going on the facts that followed were more disturbing than imagined.

A Chilling Murder Plot

According to investigators, Pooja Jatav wanted to sell 18 bighas of ancestral land belonging to her in-laws and move permanently to Gwalior. Although the land was in her late husband Kalyan’s name and still under family control, her plans met strong resistance from Sushila Devi, who refused to give consent. Sushila reportedly distrusted Pooja and opposed the sale, despite Pooja having the backing of her brother-in-law Santosh and father-in-law, as per a report by News18.

Frustrated, Pooja allegedly conspired to kill her mother-in-law to gain control over the property. She brought in her younger sister, Kamala alias Kamini, and Kamini’s boyfriend, Anil Verma from Hajira, Gwalior, to help execute the plan.

On the night of June 24, Kamini and Anil travelled 125 km to Jhansi. When the house was empty, they allegedly injected Sushila Devi with poison and strangled her to death. They also stole gold jewellery worth Rs 8 lakh before fleeing the scene.

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The case began to crack when Pooja failed to return home after the funeral. Her absence and inconsistencies in her statements, along with her mobile tower location data, led police to question her. During interrogation, she admitted to orchestrating the murder and involving her sister and Anil in the crime.

Both Pooja and Kamini were arrested and sent to jail. Anil Verma was later apprehended following a police encounter on Tuesday night, bringing all three accused into custody. All three accused: Pooja, Kamini, and Anil now face charges of murder, conspiracy, and robbery. While the sisters are currently in jail, Anil was injured and arrested during a late-night encounter with police on July 1.

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Disturbing Past And Illicit Relationships

As police delved into Pooja Jatav’s background, they unearthed a pattern of failed marriages, live-in relationships, and troubling allegations.

Pooja’s first marriage in Gwalior ended violently. During a domestic dispute, her then-husband allegedly had her shot, a case that ended up in court. It was during the court proceedings that she met Kalyan, who sympathised with her and later married her.

Six years into their marriage, Kalyan died in a road accident. Left alone again, Pooja entered into a relationship with her late husband’s elder brother Santosh, who was already married. She began living with him, claiming marital rights, which triggered domestic tensions in the household, especially with Santosh’s legal wife.

Amid rising conflicts, Pooja began demanding 50 percent of the family land, citing her status as Kalyan’s widow. While Santosh and their father appeared willing to accommodate her, Sushila Devi remained staunchly opposed, fearing Pooja’s intentions.

Police sources further indicated suspicions of an inappropriate relationship between Pooja and her father-in-law, adding to the dysfunction within the household. Sushila’s growing doubts and her refusal to transfer land rights may have led to her being targeted.

As tensions peaked and her influence within the family declined, Pooja allegedly resorted to murder as a desperate attempt to secure her future. She called Kamini and Anil, who helped carry out the plan, staging it to look like a robbery gone wrong.

Four days after the murder, Sushila Devi’s husband lodged an FIR at Tahrauli Police Station, triggering a full-scale investigation. The police quickly uncovered discrepancies in Pooja’s movements and version of events. Her confession revealed the true extent of the conspiracy.