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In a heated argument, he allegedly attacked his 27-year-old wife on her head with a granite cutter and then strangled her with her dupatta
Mumbai: A 28-year-old daily wage worker was arrested on Sunday for allegedly killing his wife in a fit of rage by attacking her head with a granite cutter and strangling her to death during a heated argument. The accused surrendered after the incident and confessed to the murder, said a police officer.
According to the police, the incident occurred on Sunday morning at the couple’s residence in Ganpati Patil Nagar slum in Borivali West when they were arguing over a domestic issue. The accused, Manu Pappu Rathod, allegedly attacked his 27-year-old wife, Reshma on her head with a granite cutter and then strangled her with her dupatta. He then surrendered to MHB police and confessed that he had murdered his wife, said a police officer.
“After his confession, we rushed to the spot where we found Reshma Rathod lying in a pool of blood. We rushed her to Shatabdi hospital in Kandivali where she was declared dead,” said the officer.
Rathod told the police that for the past three days, his wife and he had been fighting over trivial issues. On Sunday morning, he was fed up with the continuous arguments with his wife and he killed her, said a police officer.
Rathod has been booked for murder under relevant sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
In a shocking case of domestic violence turned fatal, a 37-year-old man surrendered to the police after allegedly killing his 32-year-old wife following a heated argument at their residence. The couple, married for over seven years, reportedly had ongoing issues, which escalated into a brutal act of violence late Sunday evening. The man, consumed by rage, took the life of his wife and immediately turned himself in at the nearest police station.
This incident has sent shockwaves across the local community, raising pressing questions about the state of mental health, marital distress, and domestic violence in urban households.
According to the initial police report, the incident occurred around 8:30 PM in a middle-class housing society located in the heart of the city. Neighbors reported hearing loud arguments and crashing sounds from the couple’s apartment. Minutes later, the husband, identified as Rajeev Sharma (name changed), reportedly left the house calmly, took an auto-rickshaw, and surrendered at the nearby police station, confessing that he had just murdered his wife.
Upon arrival at the crime scene, police found the body of the victim, identified as Anjali Sharma (name changed),
lying motionless in the bedroom with multiple blunt force injuries. Preliminary forensic examinations confirmed that the cause of death was severe trauma to the head and neck. A bloodied household object, believed to be the murder weapon, was recovered at the scene.
2017: Rajeev and Anjali got married after a brief courtship. Friends described them as a “perfect couple” who shared common interests and a modest lifestyle.
2020-2024: The relationship reportedly began to deteriorate. Family members from both sides indicated frequent fights over financial matters, lifestyle disagreements, and unfulfilled career aspirations.
March 2025: Anjali allegedly filed a non-cognizable complaint after a domestic altercation but withdrew it a week later following family intervention.
6 July 2025: The argument that led to the murder reportedly began over a trivial matter but spiraled into accusations, emotional outbursts, and ultimately, violence.
Officers at the police station where Rajeev surrendered reported that he appeared calm and composed, showing no immediate signs of regret or panic. “He walked in and said, ‘I’ve killed my wife. Please arrest me,’” said one officer.
The police immediately detained Rajeev and dispatched a team to the house, where they confirmed the crime. During preliminary interrogation, Rajeev reportedly claimed that he had “lost control” and that the murder was not premeditated.
While investigations are ongoing, police are exploring a range of possible motives:
- Domestic Frustration: The couple had reportedly been arguing frequently, with disputes over finances and household responsibilities. Rajeev, an underpaid private firm employee, was under financial stress.
- Career Jealousy: Anjali had recently restarted her career as a freelance designer and was beginning to gain financial independence, which may have led to tension.
- Mental Health Issues: Police suspect untreated depression and anger management issues may have contributed to Rajeev’s violent outburst. A medical history review is underway.
- Rajeev has been booked under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code for murder. A magistrate court has ordered judicial custody for 14 days, and further psychiatric evaluation has been recommended. An autopsy report is awaited, and forensic evidence is being compiled to build a solid case.
- The couple’s mobile phones, messages, and email records will be analyzed to gather more insights into their mental and emotional state over the past few weeks.
- The victim’s parents expressed devastation upon learning of their daughter’s death. “We knew things weren’t perfect, but we never imagined it would end this way,” said her grieving father. “We want justice.”
- Neighbors and friends also expressed shock, describing the couple as mostly reserved but never aggressive in public. “They were quiet people. We never heard of any major fights before,” said a neighbor who lived on the same floor.
This incident is not isolated. According to recent data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), over 27,000 cases of crimes against spouses were reported in India in 2024 alone, a 12% rise from the previous year. Experts warn that economic stress, lack of emotional support, and untreated mental health conditions are leading to an increase in domestic violence, especially in urban nuclear families.
Psychologist Dr. Meera Gupta commented on the incident:
“Such acts are often the culmination of prolonged emotional suppression and lack of coping mechanisms. There’s a dangerous cultural stigma around seeking therapy, especially among men, and unfortunately, that can manifest in tragic outcomes.”
She also stressed the importance of emotional check-ins in relationships and community-based mental health support systems.
As the news went viral, #JusticeForAnjali began trending on social media platforms. Public outrage has been pouring in, especially from women’s rights groups and domestic abuse prevention advocates.
Some are calling for fast-track court proceedings, while others demand mandatory couple’s counseling programs and stricter screening of domestic complaints, even when withdrawn.
The investigation is ongoing, and the police are awaiting digital evidence, psychiatric assessments, and the final autopsy report to proceed with the chargesheet. If convicted, Rajeev Sharma could face life imprisonment or the death penalty under Indian law.
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