Family Arrested After Couple Found Dead in Well in Jharkhand

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Police in Jharkhand’s Palamu district have arrested a couple and three other family members for the alleged murder of their 21 year old daughter and her 22 year old boyfriend. The bodies of Vibha Kumari and Subhash Kumar were discovered in a well in Purni Tariya village on Sunday evening, prompting a police investigation that has led to five arrests.

According to police, Vibha’s parents, Upendra Mahto and Kalawati Devi, were against her relationship with Subhash. Despite their repeated warnings for the couple to end their relationship, Vibha and Subhash continued to see each other. This led her parents and three paternal uncles to allegedly hatch a plot to end the relationship permanently.

On the night of August 1, the family members reportedly asked Subhash to come to their house. Once there, the couple was allegedly murdered, and their bodies were dumped into a well. The police began their investigation after receiving a complaint from Subhash’s brother, Jaiprakash Kumar, regarding his disappearance.

During the investigation, police detained the five suspects for questioning. It was during this process that they reportedly confessed to the crime and revealed the murder plot. Sub-Divisional Police Officer (Lesliganj), Manoj Kumar Jha, stated that severe injuries were found on Subhash’s eyes, and apparent burn marks were on his stomach and back. The bodies have since been sent for post-mortem examinations.

Police have recovered the lathi (a type of stick) and an iron rod believed to have been used in the crime. The victims’ mobile phones have also been found. While authorities are still investigating all circumstances that led to the incident, police are currently investigating the case as a potential “honor killing.”