Even as Valentine’s Week is being celebrated across the country, a chilling crime linked to an illicit relationship has come to light in Jharkhand’s capital region, exposing the brutal side of passion and revenge. In the Sonahatu area near Ranchi, a young married man was allegedly murdered in a planned attack, after which his body was mutilated and dumped near a river to conceal his identity.

The incident took place in Domadih village under the Sonahatu police station limits. The deceased has been identified as 25-year-old Harihar Mahato, who had been missing since the evening of January 31. After days of search, police recovered his body from the banks of the Kanchi River on February 8.

According to officials, the condition of the body was extremely disturbing. The victim’s head was severed and disposed of separately, while his private parts were brutally damaged, reportedly to both erase identification and settle personal vengeance.

Honey Trap and Murder Conspiracy Uncovered

Police investigations, aided by call detail records, have revealed that the murder was the result of a long-running illicit relationship. The police have detained Harihar’s former girlfriend, Sulochana Devi, and her husband, Chhatrapati Mahato, in connection with the crime.

Investigators said that Harihar, who was married and had a young child, had allegedly been in a relationship with Sulochana Devi for nearly two years. When her husband came to know about the affair, he allegedly decided to eliminate Harihar.

On January 31, Sulochana is said to have called Harihar to the banks of the Kanchi River under the pretext of meeting him. Chhatrapati Mahato was already present at the spot with a weapon. The couple allegedly attacked Harihar together and killed him. To destroy evidence, the body parts were dumped at different locations.

Village in Shock, Police Probe Continues

The gruesome murder has left Domadih village in a state of shock and mourning. Locals say the incident has deeply disturbed the community. Police officials confirmed that the detained couple is being interrogated and efforts are underway to ascertain whether any other individuals were involved in the crime.

Rising Crimes Linked to Illicit Relationships

This incident is not an isolated case in Ranchi. Just weeks earlier, on January 24, a man allegedly shot dead his wife in the Doranda police station area over an extramarital affair before taking his own life. These incidents have raised serious concerns over the increasing number of violent crimes linked to illicit relationships in the region.