Mumbai: Another incident involving a woman conspiring to kill her husband has come to light, this time in Mumbai’s Aarey Colony. Police have arrested 35-year-old Rajshree Ahire for plotting the murder of her 40-year-old husband, Bharat Laxman Ahire, a professional makeup artist, with the help of her lover. Rajshree’s lover, Chandrashekhar Padayachi, and his accomplice, Ranga, are currently absconding.
According to police, the motive behind the murder was Rajshree’s extramarital affair with Chandrashekhar. When Bharat confronted his wife about the relationship last month, she allegedly accused him of harassment. Following this, Bharat contacted Chandrashekhar, who asked him to meet near a public toilet in Ektanagar, Unit No. 31, Aarey Colony. Rajshree also accompanied her husband to the location.
Chandrasekhar had come with Ranga on the night of July 15. They started punching Bharat on his chest, stomach and other parts of the body. According to the police, Ranga held Bharat from behind during the attack.
Despite witnessing the attack, Rajshree neither intervened nor sought help. As locals began to gather at the scene, the two attackers fled. Instead of taking her husband to a hospital, Rajshree took him home and kept him there for three days without any treatment.
Elder Daughter Informed Relatives
The couple's three daughters, aged 13, 5 and 3, witnessed their father's deteriorating condition. When he started vomiting blood, the eldest daughter informed the relatives.
Bharat's sister-in-law then came to their house, where Rajshree claimed that Bharat was injured in a bike accident. He was finally admitted to a superspeciality hospital in Pathanwadi, Malad east.
At the hospital, Rajshree reiterated the false claim and Bharat echoed the same story out of fear and pressure. This statement was recorded in the medico-legal case (MLC) report submitted to the police.
Daughter Revealed The Truth
Police noticed several discrepancies in Rajshree’s statement, prompting a more detailed investigation. They questioned her thoroughly and also spoke to the couple’s elder daughter, based on a statement previously recorded from Bharat. Her testimony became a key breakthrough in the case.
During questioning, the daughter recounted how the altercation unfolded. She had witnessed the attack from a distance and confirmed that her mother stood by silently, made no attempt to intervene, and failed to take her father to hospital. Bharat eventually succumbed to his injuries during treatment on 5 August.
Police have since arrested Rajshree, while a search is ongoing for the two absconding accused, Chandrashekhar and Ranga.
