Baidhyanath Sahni, a former Bihar minister, has alleged that his daughter’s in-laws stoned her to death after repeated disputes over transfer of property and wealth.
But police say 35-year-old Sangeeta Devi’s post-mortem report died after being hit by a tractor.
Sahni, a former Janata Dal (United) leader who joined the BJP, lodged a case at the Manjhaul police station in Begusarai on Thursday.
The police have arrested three members of the in-law’s family after registering a case of murder against seven people accused of the crime. The two families are locked in a property dispute, the police said.
Devi was working in the garden at her in-law’s place when she was hit by a tractor, the police quoted eye witnesses as saying. Devi, who sustained grievous injuries, was taken to a local health facility, where she died.
“The post-mortem report suggests that the woman was killed due to the impact of a vehicle. Her brother-in-law, who was driving the tractor, is among the three arrested, along with her father-in-law,” said superintendent of police, Begusarai, RK Mishra.
The police said Devi’s brother-in-law was reversing the tractor when she was hit from behind. “We are trying to ascertain if the mishap was accidental or intentional. Police investigations are on,” the SP added.
{{/usCountry}}The police said Devi’s brother-in-law was reversing the tractor when she was hit from behind. “We are trying to ascertain if the mishap was accidental or intentional. Police investigations are on,” the SP added.
{{/usCountry}}Devi was married to Santosh, the son of Bilo Sahni, a resident of Begusarai in 2000. Santosh died last November after prolonged illness, leaving behind his wife and three sons.
The former animal husbandry minister alleged Devi’s in-laws used to force and torture her to transfer property and wealth in their name but she had refused.