In Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, a woman allegedly murdered her husband during a domestic row, staging his death as a toilet accident. Over 35 injuries exposed the plot; she confessed to police amid suspicions of an affair. (32 words)
Pinki Devi, 28, from Bareilly’s Bithri Chainpur area, stands arrested for killing her husband Manoj Kumar, 32, on 20 December 2025, after a fierce argument over her alleged extramarital affair. She claimed he slipped and fell fatally in their home toilet, but a postmortem revealed more than 35 sharp wounds on his head, neck, and body-clear signs of homicide, not accident.
Manoj, a daily wage labourer, died en route to hospital; police, led by Senior Superintendent Manush Kumar, confirmed murder under IPC Section 302 following her interrogation confession. No other suspects; investigation ongoing as of 23 December, highlighting domestic discord risks.
Unravelling the Deception
Pinki Devi’s story began to crumble moments after she rushed Manoj’s body to a local government hospital in Bareilly late on 20 December. She insisted he had slipped while using the toilet at their modest home, suffering a fatal head injury from the fall.
Hospital staff grew suspicious upon noticing multiple bruises and cuts inconsistent with a simple accident. They promptly alerted the police, who ordered a detailed postmortem at the district morgue.
The examination painted a grim picture: over 35 injuries, including deep gashes from a sharp weapon like a sickle or knife, concentrated on the victim’s skull, neck, and torso. “These wounds could not result from a fall; they indicate a deliberate and violent attack,” stated Bareilly SSP Manush Kumar in a press briefing on 22 December.
Neighbours recalled hearing loud arguments earlier that evening, describing the couple as often quarrelsome but never violent. One local resident, speaking anonymously, said, “They fought over money and her late nights, but we never imagined this.” This human element underscores how everyday tensions can spiral unchecked in close-knit rural communities.
From Suspicion to Confession
The sequence of events unfolded rapidly after police arrived at the scene. Officers scoured the one-room house, finding bloodstains on the floor near the toilet and a bloodied sharp tool hidden nearby-key evidence contradicting Devi’s account. During intense questioning at Bithri police station, Devi broke down and confessed.
She admitted bludgeoning Manoj with the weapon after he confronted her about suspicions of infidelity with a local man. “He accused me endlessly; in the heat of rage, I lost control,” sources quoted her as saying, though official transcripts remain sealed.
SSP Kumar elaborated: “Marital discord, fuelled by allegations of an affair, appears central. We have recorded her statement under Section 164 CrPC, and forensic teams are analysing the weapon.” The couple, married for eight years with two young children now in protective custody with relatives, had a history of reported scuffles.
Community elders noted Manoj’s struggles as a labourer amid economic pressures post-pandemic, adding layers to the family’s strain. No prior formal complaints existed, but whispers of toxicity lingered.
Broader Context of Domestic Strife
This tragedy fits a disturbing pattern in Uttar Pradesh, where domestic violence claims thousands of lives yearly. National Crime Records Bureau data for 2024 showed over 4,000 women and 1,500 men as murder victims in spousal disputes nationwide, with rural areas like Bareilly reporting spikes due to poverty, alcohol, and limited counselling.
Similar cases have surfaced recently: in October 2025, a Meerut woman staged a husband’s ‘suicide’ after poisoning him, exposed by toxicology. Experts link these to patriarchal norms clashing with modern stresses, where men and women alike suffer silently.
Local NGOs like the Uttar Pradesh State Women’s Commission have called for awareness drives. “Early intervention through village panchayats and helplines can save lives,” said activist Ritu Singh, who runs a Bareilly shelter. Post-incident, police urged reporting via the 1098 child helpline or 181 women helpline, emphasising prevention.
The children, aged 5 and 7, now face an uncertain future, cared for by Manoj’s brother, highlighting ripple effects on innocents.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Logical Indian mourns Manoj’s needless death and Pinki Devi’s fall into irreversible regret, viewing this as a stark reminder that unchecked anger erodes families.
We champion peace through dialogue, urging couples to seek empathy via free counselling and community mediation before rage wins.
Kindness demands we build support systems fostering harmony and coexistence, breaking cycles of violence for positive change.
