Husband Strangles Wife to Death as Daughter Sleeps in Same Room

In a shocking incident from Keshav Puram, Delhi, a 40-year-old woman was allegedly killed by her husband, who later tried to pass off the crime as a case of suicide. The accused, identified as Dinesh Sharma, a local temple priest, has been arrested after police found inconsistencies in his statement and physical evidence at the crime scene.

Husband Tried to Mislead Police with Suicide Claim

According to officials, the disturbing episode unfolded late Friday night when Dinesh Sharma allegedly strangled his wife, Sushma Sharma, inside their home. He then called the police control room, claiming that his wife had died by suicide in her bedroom.

When police reached the residence, they found Sushma’s body lying on the floor, while the couple’s 11-year-old daughter was sleeping on the bed in the same room, unaware of what had transpired. Officers immediately grew suspicious of Dinesh’s version of events after observing marks on the victim’s neck that were inconsistent with hanging.

Priest Confesses to Smothering Wife with Pillow

During questioning, Dinesh Sharma reportedly confessed to killing his wife by smothering her with a pillow. He told investigators that a domestic argument had escalated out of control, leading to the fatal act.

“After the argument, he allegedly lost his temper and pressed a pillow on her face until she stopped breathing,” a senior police officer said. “He later fabricated a suicide story to mislead us.”

Police have taken custody of the body and sent it to Babu Jagjivan Ram Hospital for post-mortem examination. The official cause of death will be confirmed after the autopsy report is received.

Victim’s Family Alleges Police Inaction and Cover-Up

However, the victim’s family has accused the police of mishandling the case and attempting to hush up the matter. They alleged that the police delayed informing them about Sushma’s death and initially tried to portray it as suicide.

“She (our sister) died late last evening, around 12 or 1 a.m., but the police informed us only at 6 a.m.,” said Ashok Kumar, the victim’s brother. “We are being told it was a quarrel over food, but the truth is that our brother-in-law had an extramarital affair. Our sister had been complaining to us about it for years.”

The family believes that Sushma was murdered because she repeatedly confronted Dinesh about his alleged affair. They have demanded a fair investigation and action against the police officials who they claim tried to suppress the case.

Domestic Dispute or Affair-Driven Murder?

While the accused priest has cited a domestic quarrel as the trigger for the incident, the family insists that infidelity was the real motive. According to them, the couple’s marriage had been under strain for years due to Dinesh’s alleged relationship with another woman.

A relative shared, “Sushma often told us that Dinesh would spend nights away from home, claiming temple duties. But she later found out he was seeing someone else. She was deeply hurt but continued to live with him for the sake of their daughter.”

Police are now investigating whether the alleged affair played a direct role in the killing.

Daughter in Shock as Investigation Continues

The couple’s 11-year-old daughter, who was present in the room at the time of the crime, is reportedly in shock. She has been placed under the care of relatives while authorities arrange for counselling. Investigators are also planning to record her statement at a later stage, once she is emotionally stable.

Police Assure Fair Probe

Officials from the Keshav Puram Police Station said that all angles are being examined. “The accused has been arrested and charged with murder under Section 302 of the IPC. Further investigation is underway,” said an officer.

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Authorities have also assured the family that the case will be pursued transparently and that no attempt will be made to shield the accused.

Community in Shock Over Priest’s Crime

The incident has left residents of the area stunned, as Dinesh Sharma was known locally for his calm and spiritual demeanor as a temple priest. “We can’t believe he did this,” said a neighbour. “He always seemed like a peaceful man.”

As the investigation progresses, the case has reignited conversations about domestic violence, marital discord, and the hidden dangers within seemingly ordinary households.