Surat Woman Arrested for Killing Live-in Partner Over ₹50

What initially appeared to be an accidental death has unravelled into a murder investigation after Surat Police arrested a 31-year-old woman for allegedly stabbing her live-in partner to death following a domestic dispute over ₹50. Police claimed the case was cracked within 48 hours through forensic evidence, neighbourhood inquiries and sustained interrogation.

The accused, identified as Manishaben Rathod, was arrested by the Ichhapore Police in connection with the murder of her live-in partner, Ramratan alias Raju Jogeshbhai Yadav (31). She has been booked under Section of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for murder and section for allegedly furnishing false information to a public servant during the course of the investigation.

ACP Shweta Denial of M Division, Zone-7, said the investigation began on June 23 after Ichhapore Police received a medico-legal case from New Civil Hospital, where Ramratan was declared dead after being brought in by a 108 ambulance.

Police initially registered an accidental death case based on the information available at the time. However, suspicions were raised after the post-mortem examination concluded that the victim had died of shock and haemorrhage caused by a stab wound to the chest, contradicting the initial claim that he had sustained only minor injuries before collapsing.

Investigators subsequently launched a detailed probe, questioning the deceased's relatives, neighbours and Manishaben. During the inquiry, police learnt that the couple had been living together as husband and wife for several years without being legally married. Their relationship, investigators alleged, was marked by frequent quarrels over money and recurring incidents of domestic violence.

According to the police, neighbours informed investigators that Ramratan routinely subjected Manishaben to physical assault and verbal abuse, often after consuming alcohol. Officers said the violence had become so frequent that residents had grown accustomed to hearing the couple argue and were reluctant to intervene.

Police alleged that the fatal incident occurred on the evening of June 23 after Manishaben asked Ramratan for ₹50 to purchase vegetables. He allegedly refused, triggering an argument during which he is said to have pulled her by the hair and assaulted her.

According to the investigation, Manishaben initially picked up a loose stone and hurled it at Ramratan, injuring his leg. As the altercation escalated, she allegedly picked up a potato-peeling knife from inside the house and stabbed him in the lower leg.

Police said Ramratan then walked into the courtyard outside the house while continuing to abuse her. Investigators alleged that Manishaben followed him outside and, while he was seated and allegedly unaware, stabbed him once in the chest with the same knife. He collapsed after suffering severe blood loss and later succumbed to his injuries.

Investigators further alleged that, following the stabbing, Manishaben panicked and informed her mother and sister that Ramratan had sustained only a leg injury after being struck by a stone. Police said she repeated the same account to the officer conducting the initial inquiry, leading to the registration of an accidental death case.

The post-mortem findings, however, exposed inconsistencies in her version of events. During sustained interrogation, police said forensic evidence, witness statements and other material collected during the investigation established that the death was a case of homicide, ultimately leading to her arrest.

ACP Shweta Denial said the case was solved within two days through scientific investigation, meticulous neighbourhood inquiries and sustained questioning of the accused. Police have seized the alleged murder weapon along with other material evidence and said further investigation is underway to establish the complete sequence of events.

The accused remains in police custody while further investigation continues.