Aslali man held for murdering wife, staging it as a suicide

The Aslali police have arrested a 32-year-old man for allegedly strangling his wife with a saree and attempting to pass off the crime as suicide. The arrest occurred after an emergency call was made to the police control room late on September 11.

According to police, the husband, Vikram Raval, phoned the 100 emergency number claiming that his wife, Parulben Raval, had taken her own life at their residence. A team from Aslali police station rushed to the spot and found the woman lying dead inside the house.

Suspicions during questioning

Deputy Superintendent of Police Tapan Singh Dodia said that during initial questioning, inconsistencies emerged in Vikram’s account. “He first claimed his wife had died by suicide. But further interrogation and evidence suggested otherwise,” Dodia told reporters.

Investigators learnt that the couple frequently quarrelled and that Parulben, whose mental health was reportedly fragile, had been involved in repeated domestic disputes with her husband.

Murder disguised as suicide

Police said that Vikram allegedly strangled Parulben with a saree during a heated argument and then tried to stage the scene to resemble suicide.

The couple’s two young daughters, a three-year-old and a five-month-old infant, were present in the home at the time of the incident, officers added.

Case registered

Vikram has been booked for murder under BNS sections and remains in custody while the Aslali police conduct further investigation. Authorities said counselling and support services have been arranged for the two children.

“The evidence clearly points to murder and an attempt to mislead investigators,” DySP Dodia said, adding that the probe will also look into the history of domestic violence in the household.