Ghaziabad, Oct. 27 -- A 35-year-old senior accountant working with the Delhi government was allegedly stabbed multiple times while sleeping beside his three-year-old daughter at his home in Vasundhara early on Monday. Police arrested his wife, Priya Sharma (32), and her alleged lover, Pratap Singh (30), a gym trainer, on Tuesday for allegedly conspiring to kill him. The victim, Shashank Kanthariya, was attacked around 6.30 am at his house in Vasundhara Sector 1, under Indirapuram police station limits. He sustained multiple stab wounds and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he remained admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) in critical condition. His daughter escaped unhurt.
According to police, Priya routinely left home early in the morning to go to the gym, leaving the front door unlocked. On Monday, Pratap Singh allegedly used the opportunity to enter the house armed with two knives and attack Shashank while he was asleep.
The couple's daughter woke up during the assault and began crying, alerting neighbours to the incident. Pratap Singh allegedly fled from the house but was chased and caught by security guards, who subsequently handed him over to the police. Police later detained Priya for questioning before arresting both accused. Shashank's brother, Ritesh Kanthariya, lodged a complaint, following which an FIR was registered against Priya Sharma and Pratap Singh under Sections 109 (attempt to murder), 333 (house-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint) and 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Both accused were produced before a court on Tuesday and sent to judicial custody.
DCP (Trans-Hindon) Rijul said police were investigating the circumstances leading to the attack and the alleged conspiracy between the accused. Police were also examining the call detail records of their mobile phones to establish the sequence of events and determine the extent of premeditation.
Police said Pratap began working at the gym in Vasundhara where Priya exercised in January this year and subsequently became her trainer. The two allegedly entered into a relationship about a month later. The alleged affair came to light towards the end of September, when Shashank learnt about the relationship and asked his wife to end it. He reportedly told her either to change gyms or stop going there.
According to police, tensions escalated as Shashank planned to move out and was looking for a house in Delhi. Priya allegedly opposed the move. He was reportedly planning to finalise a house on Sunday, following which Priya allegedly informed Pratap about the situation. Police suspect the two then conspired to eliminate Shashank, whom they allegedly considered an obstacle to their relationship.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.