Woman who killed beggar to fake death and elope arrested

RAJKOT: A 27-year-old married woman in Gujarat's Kutch allegedly faked her suicide to elope with her lover, murdering and setting ablaze an innocent beggar whom the duo did not even know.

Rami Kesariya and Anil Gangal were arrested Saturday, over three months after the crime in July.

Police said Rami and Anil strangled the beggar and burnt his body on a pyre near her in-laws' house on July 5. Rami left her mobile and footwear near the burning logs so her family would believe she had died by suicide, police said, citing their confessions.

Consumed by guilt, Rami visited her father on Sept 29 and confessed. Her father alerted police, after which Rami and Anil were traced two days ago and detained. Police said Rami was unhappy with her marriage and believed the only way she and Anil could live together was if she was presumed dead. The marriage of Rami and Anil, who is also married, was not possible due to societal norms.

The victim was identified as Bharat Bhatiya by his brother in Bhuj.