In a shocking development from Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, police have arrested Pooja Jatav, her sister Kamla, and Kamla’s lover Anil Verma for the alleged murder of 60-year-old Sushila Devi, who was Pooja’s mother-in-law.
The crime, which occurred on June 24, 2025, was initially reported as a robbery but has since been revealed to be a premeditated act allegedly motivated by family disputes over land, illicit relationships, and the theft of jewellery valued at approximately ₹8 lakh.
While Pooja and Kamla are in judicial custody, Anil Verma was apprehended after allegedly firing at police during an attempted escape and was injured in the encounter. Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine if similar family conflicts have led to other suspicious incidents.
A Tangled Web of Family Betrayal and Greed
The police investigation, led by Superintendent of Police (City) Gyanendra Kumar, has uncovered a complex and disturbing family background. Pooja Jatav’s first marriage in Gwalior ended amid allegations of domestic violence, including an incident where she was allegedly shot by her husband.
Subsequently, she married Kalyan Singh, the son of Sushila Devi, her mother-in-law. Following Kalyan’s untimely death in a road accident, Pooja allegedly entered into a live-in relationship with Kalyan’s brother Santosh, with whom she reportedly had a daughter.
This unconventional family situation allegedly sowed seeds of discord, particularly with Sushila Devi, who strongly opposed Pooja’s plans to sell her share of the family’s 18 bighas of ancestral land and relocate to Gwalior.
Police allege that, feeling cornered by her mother-in-law’s opposition and driven by greed, Pooja conspired with her sister Kamla and Kamla’s lover Anil Verma to eliminate Sushila Devi.
On the night of June 24, the trio allegedly administered poison to Sushila Devi before strangling her to death. The perpetrators then allegedly ransacked the house, stealing gold jewellery worth around ₹8 lakh, and staged the scene to appear as a burglary.
Anil Verma was later caught while allegedly attempting to sell the stolen jewellery. During his arrest, he allegedly fired at police officers and was injured in the resulting encounter.
A History of Violence and Unresolved Disputes
This murder has cast a harsh light on the family’s troubled history. Pooja’s life has been marked by instability and violence, including surviving a shooting by her first husband and navigating fraught relationships within her second husband’s family. Police are now examining other unexplained incidents within the family, suspecting that long-standing disputes over land and inheritance may have allegedly contributed to previous tragedies.
Authorities are also investigating whether any other family members were complicit or had knowledge of the alleged plot, as the case reveals deep fractures and mistrust, particularly between Pooja and her mother-in-law.
Official Statements and Community Reactions
Superintendent Gyanendra Kumar emphasised the gravity of the case: “This incident is a grim reminder of how unresolved family disputes and mistrust can escalate into violence. We urge families to seek peaceful and legal solutions to conflicts.”
The police have pledged a thorough investigation and have intensified efforts to recover any additional stolen assets. The local community remains stunned by the revelations, with neighbours expressing sorrow over the breakdown of family bonds and the tragic loss of life, especially between a mother-in-law and her daughter-in-law.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This distressing case underscores the urgent need for empathy, open dialogue, and legal mediation to resolve family disputes before they escalate into violence.
The Logical Indian firmly believes that violence is never an acceptable solution and that communities must provide accessible counselling and conflict resolution services to support individuals facing domestic strife.
We advocate for justice, harmony, and the protection of vulnerable family members, particularly women and the elderly. As we reflect on this tragedy, we invite our readers to consider: What more can society and authorities do to address deep-rooted family conflicts and prevent such heartbreaking outcomes?
