A newlywed woman was found in a water tank outside her house in Indore's Nehru Nagar area, just 25 days after her love marriage, in what police are treating as a prima facie fatal crime.
The woman, identified as Vandana Kushwaha in police records, was discovered on Thursday under the limits of Rau police station. Her remains were recovered after neighbours alerted police, and were sent for a post-mortem examination. Injury marks were found on her remains.
Her husband, Upendra Patel, and his brother have been detained for questioning.
"Prima facie, the case appears to be one of murder. However, the exact cause of passing will be known only after the post-mortem report," ACP Nidhi Saxena said.
According to police, Vandana and Patel had earlier lived in Nehru Nagar. Her family later shifted to a rented house in Rajnagar, reportedly because of Patel's addiction problems. The couple subsequently married on August 11, after which Vandana began living with Patel at his residence.
Vandana's family had earlier lodged a missing-person report at Chandan Nagar police station. Her statement was subsequently recorded and, as she was an adult, she expressed her wish to live with Patel. Her family had also told police that the couple frequently quarrelled over Patel's addiction.
The matter came to light on Thursday afternoon when neighbours allegedly heard Vandana screaming from inside the house. Patel was then seen coming out, and neighbours noticed stains on his shirt. When there was no further activity at the house for an extended period, the neighbours informed police.
"Police reached the spot and recovered Vandana's remains from the water tank outside the house. The husband and his brother are being questioned, and all circumstances surrounding the passing are being investigated," ACP Saxena said.
The post-mortem examination is expected to provide crucial evidence on the cause of passing. Further action will be taken based on the autopsy findings and evidence gathered during the investigation.
