The Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested two people, including a former village head, for killing a woman and cutting her body into seven parts before throwing them at different locations in Jhansi. The victim was identified as 35-year-old Rachna Yadav, whose remains were discovered on August 13 in the Todi Fatehpur area of the district
Police said Yadav had been in a relationship with 41-year-old Mahewa Sanjay Patel, a former village head, for the last few years. She had been insisting that Patel marry her, but he refused as he was already married and a father of two children.
On the night of August 9 and 10, Patel, along with his nephew Sandeep Patel (25) and their aide Pradeep alias Deepak Ahirwar, strangled Yadav inside a car. After killing her, they cut her body into seven parts with an axe. The remains were then dumped in different places, including a farm well. In an attempt to hide her identity, the trio threw her head and feet into the Raivan River.
On August 13, police recovered the mutilated body without the head, hands, and legs. Patel and his nephew Sandeep have been arrested, while Pradeep is still missing. Police have launched a search operation and announced a reward of ₹25,000 for information leading to his arrest.
“All body parts have now been recovered. Two accused are in custody, and efforts are underway to catch the third,” Senior Superintendent of Police BBGTS Murthy told The Times of India. He added that the police team involved in cracking the case has been rewarded ₹50,000 by DIG Jhansi Range Keshav Chaudhary.
