ARMY SOLDIER SENT TO JAIL

ARMY SOLDIER SENT TO JAIL

18-JULY-ENG 2

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

BUXAR-------------------------The Varanasi Police (Uttar Pradesh) have arrested and jailed an Army soldier—the husband of the deceased—in connection with the suspicious death of Tanuja Singh (28), a daughter-in-law from Manjharia village in Buxar district. The family of the deceased woman has accused her husband of having an alleged illicit relationship with another woman, as well as of harassing and murdering her. The police have registered an FIR and initiated an investigation into the matter.

The incident occurred in the Rampur neighborhood under the Ramnagar police station area of ​​Varanasi, where Tanuja Singh—wife of Army soldier Satyendra Kumar Singh (alias Anu)—died under suspicious circumstances on Sunday evening. Upon receiving the news, the deceased's brother, Manu Singh, arrived and lodged a formal complaint with the police, accusing his brother-in-law and other members of the in-laws' family of murder. Acting on this, the police took possession of the body for a post-mortem examination and arrested the accused husband, sending him to jail.

According to reports, Satyendra Kumar Singh is originally from Manjhariya village in Buxar district. His father, Sheshnarayan Singh, is a retired police sub-inspector who has been living in Varanasi for nearly two decades. Satyendra is currently posted with the Indian Army's Medical Corps in Bathinda. He married Tanuja Singh, a native of Vishambharpur village in the Chauri police station area of ​​Bhojpur district, in 2017. The couple has a three-year-old son.

The deceased's brother, Manu Singh, alleged that within a few years of the marriage, his sister was subjected to constant harassment by her husband, mother-in-law, father-in-law, elder brother-in-law, sister-in-law, and husband's sister. Her husband frequently physically assaulted her, and Tanuja used to inform her family about this through phone calls, photos, and videos.

The family alleges that during his posting in Bathinda in June, the husband had even attempted to force Tanuja to consume Phenyl. He has also been accused of abetting her suicide. Manu Singh claims his sister had revealed that her husband was involved in an alleged illicit relationship with a wealthy woman, which was the reason she was being harassed.

The deceased's brother further alleged that he had received a call from his sister's mobile phone a day before the incident but was unable to answer it. When he later called the same number, his sister-in-law informed him that Tanuja was not there. The following evening, her father-in-law called to inform them of her death.

There is outrage among women's organizations and human rights activists regarding the incident. They have demanded strict action against the guilty and justice for the victim's family.

The police state that the matter is being investigated from all angles. Further legal action will be taken based on the post-mortem report and other evidence.