A Desperate Plan to Escape Abuse

Soniya, a 34-year-old woman from Delhi, found herself trapped in a cycle of abuse and criminal activity due to her husband, Pritam Prakash. Married at 16, Soniya endured years of violence as Pritam, a known criminal with a history of drug addiction, repeatedly assaulted her. Despite her efforts to reform him, Pritam’s criminal lifestyle persisted. In 2023, seeking solace and a fresh start, Soniya began an affair with Rohit, a cab driver with his own criminal past. Their relationship blossomed online, but Pritam remained an obstacle to their future together.

The Murder Plot Unfolds

Determined to rid herself of Pritam, Soniya initially asked Rohit to murder him. However, Rohit declined and suggested hiring a killer for Rs 6 lakh—a sum Soniya could not afford. Undeterred, she turned to Vijay, her sister’s brother-in-law, who agreed to kill Pritam for Rs 1 lakh. After negotiating the price down to Rs 50,000, the plan was set in motion. On July 5th of the previous year, after another argument with Pritam in Sonipat, Soniya instructed Vijay to carry out the murder. That night, Vijay killed Pritam and disposed of his body in a drain.

The Investigation Breakthrough

The case began unraveling when Delhi Police’s crime branch investigated Pritam’s disappearance. Although Soniya had filed a missing person report to cover her tracks, the police traced Pritam’s phone to Sonipat. Despite Soniya’s instructions to destroy it, Rohit kept the phone, leading investigators to him. Under interrogation, Rohit confessed to his affair with Soniya and revealed the murder plot.

Confessions and Arrests

Following Rohit’s confession, police arrested Soniya. Initially denying involvement, she eventually admitted to orchestrating her husband’s murder and paying Vijay for the crime. She also disclosed selling Pritam’s vehicle for additional funds. Both Soniya and Rohit are now in custody, while Vijay remains jailed on unrelated charges.