Upset after fight, man takes wife on nature trail, strangulates her

A 28-year-old Bhiwandi resident has been arrested for allegedly strangulating his wife, after taking her on a nature trail at Tungareshwar, and then dumping her body in the jungle. The accused had later filed a missing person complaint to mislead the police.

The Valiv police said Kamlakar Naukate had taken his wife Sunita (25) into the Tungareshwar jungles, known for waterfalls and wildlife, in Vasai near the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway on May 25, where he allegedly strangulated her with her dupatta and left the body there.

"Kamlakar was angry that she did not want to go with him to distribute cards for his brother's wedding, which led to a fight. He then pretended to make up and coaxed her into coming with him on a nature trail to the jungle," said an officer.

"He then filed a missing person complaint with the Ganeshpuri police, telling them that she left home after a petty fight and did not return.

"After a few days, we found the body. When family members started seeking answers from the husband, he fumbled and changed his statement several times; under sustained interrogation, he confessed to the crime."

Inspector Mahesh Patil said, "We have arrested him under sections 302 (murder) and 201 (destroying evidence) of the Indian Penal Code and are investigating further."