Sangeeta Devi, 35, the daughter of former JD(U) leader Baidhyanath Sahni, has died under mysterious circumstances at her in-law’s place in Begusarai, 140km east of Patna.
Sahni, now with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), told police in his complaint the in-laws stoned her daughter to death. But post-mortem suggested that she died after being hit by a vehicle, police said.
Though the incident is of July 20, Sahni lodged a police case at the Manjhaul police station in Begusarai on Thursday. The police have arrested three people of the in-law’s family after registering a murder case against seven.
The two families are locked in a property dispute, police said.
Quoting eyewitnesses, the police said Devi was working in the garden at her in-law’s place when she was hit by a tractor. Devi, who sustained grievous injuries, was taken to a local health facility where she died.
Begusarai superintendent of police RK Mishra told HT: “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.”
The police said that Sangeeta’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 that Sangeeta’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}}Sangeeta was married to Santosh, son of Bilo Sahni, a resident of Begusarai, in 2000. Santosh died last November after prolonged illness, leaving behind his wife and three sons.
Ever since the in-laws of Sangeeta were reportedly torturing her over property issues.
The former animal husbandry minister alleged that Sangeeta’s in-laws used to force and torture her to transfer all the property and wealth.