THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, Nov 19: A shocking and unusual case has surfaced in Palamu where a woman claims she “killed her husband by mistake.” The woman, Ranju Devi (32), confessed to police that she accidentally caused the death of her husband, Uday Yadav (38) while trying to save him from self-harm.
According to her statement, Uday, who was drunk, had wrapped a long nylon rope around his neck and was shouting that he would finish himself. Ranju told police, “It was his old habit to threaten self-harm. When I tried to remove the rope, it tightened even more, and he stopped breathing.”
Desperate Attempts to Revive Him Failed
Ranju told investigators that she tried to revive Uday. “When I touched him, his body felt cold. I gave him an oil massage on his neck, palms, feet, and soles, but nothing worked. He was dead. I cried and tried everything, but it was too late,” she said, as quoted by the Panki police.
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SDPO Lesliganj Manoj Kumar Jha confirmed her version: “She claims she tried to untie the rope, but it tightened inadvertently, leading to his death by loss of breathing.”
Frequent Quarrels, But No Premeditation
Police officers said the couple quarrelled daily but never considered separating. Uday was a low-income labourer who worked on a tractor trolley and was known to be a heavy drinker.
The tragic incident occurred on the night of November 16–17, at Titihiya Tola of Aasehaar village under Panki police station. Earlier that day, the couple had gone to the village haat and returned home quarrelling. Their fight continued late into the night.
Their two children—a 7-year-old daughter and a 9-year-old son—were sleeping in another room while the argument went on.
Post-Mortem, FIR, and Police Action
Uday’s body bore a clear circular mark on the neck, indicating strangulation. The post-mortem was conducted on November 17.
Uday’s father, Mohan Yadav, gave his fard beyan to the police the same day, which was turned into an FIR. Sub-inspector Gopal Kumar Ray is investigating the case.
Ranju Devi was sent to judicial custody on November 18, confirmed Panki police station in-charge Rajesh Ranjan.
Police Invoke Murder Charge Under BNS
SDPO Jha said, “We have invoked Section 103 (murder) of the BNS against Ranju Devi.”
When asked why the case wasn’t filed as culpable homicide not amounting to murder, considering her confession, he replied, “Let the investigation move forward. If we use a lesser section now, people will question the police.”
Police have seized the nylon rope as key evidence.
A Unique Case of Deep Remorse
This case stands out because the accused is suffering from extreme guilt and remorse over what she calls an accidental death.
