Sunita Devi, a 22-year-old woman from Vishunpur, Chhattisgarh, has been arrested in Jharkhand’s Garhwa district for allegedly poisoning her husband, Budhnath Singh, just 36 days after their marriage. On June 15, Sunita allegedly mixed pesticide into a chicken dish she prepared for Budhnath, leading to his sudden illness and alleged death while being rushed to the hospital.
The case, which has allegedly shocked the local community, came to light after Budhnath’s mother, Rajmati Devi, filed a complaint. Sunita allegedly confessed during police interrogation, and authorities are now awaiting post-mortem and forensic reports to confirm the exact cause of death. The investigation is ongoing, with police probing possible motives and any additional alleged involvement.
Alleged Tensions Erupt in Newlywed Home
The tragic incident allegedly took place in Bahokundar village, Garhwa, where Sunita and Budhnath had been living since their wedding on May 11, 2025. According to police and family members, marital discord allegedly surfaced almost immediately after the wedding.
Rajmati Devi, Budhnath’s mother, told authorities that Sunita left for her parental home just a day after the marriage, allegedly expressing her dislike for Budhnath and her reluctance to continue the relationship. Despite several attempts at reconciliation by both families—including a panchayat (village council) meeting on June 5—Sunita’s return to her marital home did not allegedly resolve the underlying issues.
On June 14, Sunita allegedly convinced Budhnath to purchase pesticide from the Ramanujganj market, claiming it was needed for their kitchen garden. The following day, she allegedly laced his favourite chicken dish with the toxic substance. Budhnath allegedly began experiencing severe discomfort soon after the meal and allegedly died while being taken to the hospital.
Police Probe Alleged Motives and Community Reactions
The case has drawn significant attention from both local residents and authorities. Ranka SDPO Rohit Ranjan Singh confirmed Sunita’s arrest, stating, “Sunita Devi initially tried to mislead investigators by accusing her mother-in-law, but later allegedly confessed to the crime during interrogation.”
Police sources revealed that Sunita had allegedly kept extra packets of pesticide as a backup and had previously allegedly attempted to poison Budhnath on two separate occasions, but he had not consumed the food those times. Investigators are also exploring claims from villagers that Sunita may have allegedly been involved in a relationship with another man, which could have influenced her actions.
The police are awaiting the results of the post-mortem and forensic analysis to establish the precise cause of death and are not ruling out the possibility of additional alleged suspects or motives. The case has sparked widespread conversations about alleged marital discord, domestic violence, and the need for mental health support in rural communities.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This deeply unsettling case underscores the urgent need for empathy, communication, and support in marital relationships, particularly in rural and semi-urban India where social pressures and lack of support systems can allegedly magnify personal conflicts.
While the legal process must run its course, it is equally important to address the root causes—be it forced marriages, lack of compatibility, or unaddressed mental health issues—that can allegedly lead to such tragic outcomes.
The Logical Indian strongly advocates for peaceful dialogue, kindness, and proactive conflict resolution, both within families and at the community level. We believe that every individual deserves a safe and supportive environment, free from violence and coercion. As we reflect on this alleged tragedy, we ask our readers: What steps can families, communities, and policymakers take to better support couples in distress and prevent such heartbreaking incidents?
