The arrest of a woman in a murder case has exposed a web of deceit, betrayal, and violence in Madhya Pradesh, revealing a shocking history of two marriages, multiple affairs, an attempted murder, and a recent killing.
Twenty-nine-year-old Pooja Jatav was arrested in Gwalior for allegedly plotting the murder of her mother-in-law and previously attempting to have her first husband killed.
According to police cited by Live Hindustan, the case came to light after 60-year-old Sushila Devi was found murdered in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh on June 24.
Initially suspected as a robbery—since jewelry was missing—the case took a darker turn.
“During interrogation, she broke down and confessed to everything,” a senior officer said.
A Long Criminal Trail
Pooja’s criminal record reportedly began 11 years ago when she married her first husband in Madhya Pradesh. Though it was a love marriage, financial disputes often led to heated arguments.
She allegedly hired someone to kill her husband, who survived the shooting. He filed a case, and Pooja was jailed for a period before being released on bail.
While attending court hearings in that case, Pooja met Kalyan, a man with a criminal background. Despite caste differences and her still being legally married, they began a secret relationship and later started living together in Jhansi. Kalyan, however, died in a road accident.
Relationship with Lover’s Brother
Following Kalyan’s death, Pooja sought support from his family and eventually moved into their home. She grew close to Kalyan’s elder brother Santosh, who was already married and had a child. Nevertheless, Pooja and Santosh got married, Live Hindustan reported.
Pooja then wanted to sell Kalyan’s share of the family property. While Santosh and his father Ajay Singh agreed, Sushila Devi, Pooja’s mother-in-law, strongly opposed the sale.
Enraged by her resistance, Pooja allegedly conspired with her sister Kamini and Kamini’s lover Ankit to eliminate Sushila, promising them half of the land-sale proceeds, according to police.
On June 24, she invited Santosh and Ajay to Gwalior for her daughter’s birthday, ensuring they were out of town. Kamini and Ankit then traveled to Jhansi, where they allegedly injected Sushila to render her unconscious and then strangled her. They fled with ₹8 lakh in cash.
Investigation and Arrests
After the murder, Santosh’s first wife, who had earlier moved out, suspected Pooja’s involvement. During questioning, Santosh and Ajay also raised suspicions about her.
Police tracked and arrested Pooja.
“During questioning, she admitted to planning the murder.”
She also named Kamini and Ankit, who were subsequently arrested. The police recovered the injection, rope, and stolen cash from the accused.
Currently, Pooja Jatav, Kamini, and Ankit are in custody, and further investigation is ongoing.