Surat woman murdered for objecting to son, sister-in-law’s affair

A 55-year-old woman was allegedly murdered by her son, daughter-in-law and the latter’s father in Surat after she opposed an illicit affair within the family. The case was solved within hours by the Surat Crime Branch after the victim’s body was found.

The victim, Hamida Khatun, was allegedly strangled to death on March 10 at her residence by her younger son Parvez, his sister-in-law Shabana and Shabana’s father Firoz Alam.

As per reports, Parvez was allegedly having an affair with Shabana, the wife of his elder brother, which Khatun strongly opposed. The issue caused financial disagreements and created tensions in the household.

As per reports, the trio allegedly conspired to kill Khatun and strangled her inside the house. The body was kept inside the residence until the following day before being packed in a plastic sack and dumped near a temple.

After the murder, Parvez reportedly went to the local police station and filed a missing person complaint, claiming that his mother had gone to the market to buy clothes and had not returned.

Bhavesh Rozia, DCP Surat Crime Branch, reportedly said the body of a woman tied inside a plastic sack was found at 11 am on Wednesday. The victim’s hands and legs were bound, and preliminary examination indicated she had been strangled.

Initially treated as an unidentified murder, police launched an investigation. During the probe, officers found that Hamida Khatun had been reported missing on March 10 by her younger son.

Investigators questioned family members and searched the victim’s residence, where they recovered a rope similar to the one used to tie the victim’s hands and legs. This discovery raised suspicion of the family’s involvement.

Police also found inconsistencies in the statements of Parvez and Shabana during questioning. Following sustained interrogation, the two allegedly confessed to the crime and were arrested in Surat.

Meanwhile, Firoz Alam fled to Bihar after the incident. With the help of technical surveillance and assistance from the Bihar Special Task Force, he was later apprehended at Patna Junction Railway Station.

Police said CCTV footage recovered during the investigation showed Firoz Alam carrying the body in a white sack before disposing of it, which has been taken as key evidence in the case.

During questioning, Parvez admitted that he was in a relationship with Shabana, police said. Investigators also said that Hamida Khatun had allegedly been in a relationship with Firoz Alam for several years, which had also led to frequent disputes within the family.

All three accused have been taken into custody and legal proceedings have been initiated, police added.