Lucknow – The shocking murder of a railway employee in the Banthra area of Lucknow has been solved, with the police arresting the victim’s wife and her lover, who also happens to be her nephew, for plotting and executing the crime.
The Case Unfolds
On the night of May 24, 2025, Siddhi Prasad, a railway employee, mysteriously went missing. His wife, Manju Devi, filed a missing person’s report the next day. Days later, his body was discovered behind their house, lying in a dry pond with serious head injuries.
Given the gravity of the case, Banthra police teamed up with the South Zone Surveillance Unit. Analysis of call records and technical evidence pointed suspicion toward Manju Devi and her nephew Akash Verma alias Lucky.
Twisted Love Affair Turns Deadly
According to police, Akash Verma, a frequent visitor to the house, had developed an illicit relationship with Manju Devi. Upset with her husband’s alcohol addiction and irresponsible behavior, Manju, along with Akash, conspired to eliminate Siddhi Prasad.
To carry out the murder, they offered Akash’s friend, Sanjay Kashyap, ₹40,000 – ₹5,000 of which was paid in advance.
Murder on a Wedding Night
On the night of the murder, most family members were attending a wedding. Manju called Akash to the house. Akash and Sanjay strangled Siddhi Prasad with a rope, then struck his head with an iron pipe to ensure his death. They dumped the body in a pit behind the house and threw the murder weapons into a nearby drain.
Charges Filed
The police have registered a case under Sections 103(1), 238(k), and 353(3) of the BNS. Both Manju Devi and Akash Verma are in custody. Investigations are ongoing to trace Sanjay Kashyap and recover all evidence.
The gruesome nature of the crime and the betrayal within family ties have shocked the local community. Authorities have assured swift justice.
