A man has been arrested for allegedly murdering a person he had met through social media after discovering that the individual, who had presented as a woman online, was a man, according to police.

The case came to light after a decomposed body dressed in women's clothing and wearing jewellery was found near Muscat Gate in Shapar on June 24. Investigators initially believed the deceased was a woman, but a post-mortem examination revealed the victim was a man, prompting a murder investigation.

Police said they reviewed nearly 100 CCTV camera recordings before identifying the deceased as Chandan, a 26-year-old native of Bihar, and arresting the accused, Piyush Bablu Kharwar (30), originally from Uttar Pradesh.

Fake social media profiles

According to investigators, Chandan had allegedly created social media profiles under female identities and came into contact with Piyush through those accounts. The two reportedly developed a relationship, after which Chandan travelled to Hyderabad, where Piyush was employed in aluminium fabrication.

Police claim the two lived together for around three months and underwent a symbolic marriage ceremony. Investigators further allege that Piyush later discovered Chandan was male, leading to a dispute and his decision to leave the relationship.

Repeated confrontations culminate in fatal assault

The investigation further alleges that over the following three years, Piyush repeatedly changed locations across several states in an attempt to avoid Chandan. However, police claim Chandan continued to trace his whereabouts, insisted on staying with him and was involved in repeated altercations.

According to police, Piyush had recently moved to Padvala village near Shapar to stay with his younger brother. Investigators allege that Chandan again located him there, resulting in another confrontation. During the altercation, police say Piyush assaulted Chandan, who became semi-conscious, before allegedly taking him to another location and fatally striking him on the head with a stone.

The accused has been arrested, and further investigation into the case is underway.