A local court in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, has convicted a woman and her paramour for plotting and executing the cold-blooded murder of her husband, concluding trial proceedings that unravelled a bizarre scheme to stage the killing as a snakebite. The convicts had smothered the victim to death inside his residence and subsequently slipped a snake beneath his mattress to mislead investigators and relatives into believing the demise was accidental. Relying on medical testimony and the findings of the post-mortem examination, the court held both individuals guilty, scheduling the quantum of sentence for October 16, 2026.
Body Discovered in Bed with Snake Trapped Underneath
The incident dates back to April 12, 2025, when Amit Kashyap was discovered dead under highly suspicious circumstances inside his home in Meerut. Family members who reached the cot noticed a snake lying pinned beneath the bedsheet right under his motionless body. The scene had been meticulously set up to convey the immediate impression that the sleeping man had been fatally bitten by a venomous reptile. Upon receiving distress calls, local police officers arrived at the premises, safely secured the reptile inside a container, and dispatched the remains for a statutory post-mortem examination.
However, the physical circumstances at the crime scene raised immediate red flags among the victim's kin. Typically, a wild serpent flees immediately after striking, yet in this instance, the creature remained stuck underneath the bedding without attempting to slither away. These oddities prompted investigators to treat the death with deep skepticism right from the outset.
Autopsy Shatters Snakebite Theory, Shifting Probe to Murder
The forensic post-mortem report shattered the staged narrative completely. Medical experts concluded that Amit had not succumbed to snake venom or toxin-induced failure; instead, his windpipe had been crushed and he had died of asphyxiation caused by deliberate strangulation. The conclusive finding of manual strangling transformed what was initially presented as an unfortunate reptile attack into an active homicide investigation. The revelation sent shockwaves throughout the village as detectives began probing the immediate household.
Illicit Affair and a Non-Venomous Snake Procured for One Thousand Rupees
Investigating officers soon uncovered a clandestine domestic motive. Amit and his neighbour, Amardeep, both worked together laying floor tiles and shared close familiarity. Over time, Amit's wife, Ravita, developed an illicit romantic relationship with Amardeep, who visited the house regularly during Amit's absence. The victim's mother had grown suspicious of their interactions and had previously spotted the two together under questionable circumstances.
Viewing Amit as an obstacle to their relationship, Ravita and Amardeep conspired to eliminate him without raising suspicion. To execute the deception, they approached snake charmers under the pretext of requiring a serpent for religious rituals. For a sum of 1,000 rupees, they procured a defanged, non-venomous snake. On the night of the crime, the duo strangled Amit until he stopped breathing, placed the purchased snake beneath his body under the covers, and waited for the morning discovery to pass off the killing as an accidental bite. During the investigation, police traced the snake charmer, recorded his statement, and enlisted him as a key state prosecution witness.
Lengthy Trial Concludes in Court 12 with Sentence Due October 16
The murder trial was conducted before the Additional District Judge Court 12 (designated as the court of CJM 12). The prosecution presented comprehensive evidence linking both accused to criminal conspiracy, premeditated murder, and tampering with evidence through the fabrication of a snakebite scene. Following arguments from both the defence and prosecution, the court formally declared Ravita and Amardeep guilty of Amit's murder. Formal pronouncement of the sentence has been reserved for October 16.
Victim's Mother Demands Capital Punishment
Reacting to the conviction verdict, the victim's grieving mother, Munesh, broke down in tears outside the courtroom and pleaded for capital punishment. She stated that while the conviction brings temporary solace, true justice for her son would only be served when both the murderous wife and her paramour are sent to the gallows. Munesh affirmed her resolve to pursue the case through higher appellate courts if necessary to ensure that the culprits receive the maximum penalty permissible under law.
