Wife, in-laws kill Army subedar over ‘extramarital affair’ in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD: An Army subedar, P Kumar Goud, 50, was bludgeoned to death allegedly by his wife and in-laws at his house in Military Colony in Medak town on June 7, following a confrontation over his suspected extramarital affairs.

The subedar’s wife Padma, her parents and brother were produced before a local court on Monday and remanded in judicial custody. Seven other accused, including neighbours and relatives, were absconding, police said.

At 1. 30pm, according to the Medak Town police, Kumar Goud's father-in-law Rama Kista Goud called the defence personnel’s elder brother P Ravinder Goud claiming that his brother was facing breathing problems and they were shifting him to hospital.

When Ravinder reached the Government Hospital, Medak, he found Kumar Goud dead. Ravinder noticed multiple injuries on Kumar's body and approached police with a complaint.

Police reached the hospital and shifted the body for a post-mortem examination. They took Kumar's wife Padma, her parents Rama Kista Goud and Yellamma and brother Santosh into custody for questioning.

Medak Town inspector D Mahesh said that the family initially attempted to mislead Kumar's relatives by claiming that he died due to a sudden bout of illness. "But the family members noticed injury marks on the body and approached us," the inspector said.

In his complaint to police, Ravinder Goud stated that Kumar served in the Army for about 30 years and was last posted in Uttarakhand. Kumar came home a month ago on leave.

"Kumar's wife Padma, her parents Rama Kista Goud and Yellamma and her brother Santosh, were frequently quarrelling with Kumar, alleging that he had an illicit relationship with other women. They attacked my brother when he was at home on Saturday night and killed him," Ravinder stated in his complaint.

During interrogation, Padma, her parents and brother reportedly confessed to have committed the murder after noticing Kumar entering the house with two other women in the CCTV feed around 7. 30pm.

"Three CCTV cameras were installed at Kumar's house and Padma also had access to the feed. She saw two women entering the house with Kumar on Saturday night,” the inspector said.

At 9. 30pm, the accused went to Kumar's house in two cars with seven others. They caught Kumar red-handed with two women. They chased away the women after roughing them up.

Subsequently, the accused attacked Kumar with sticks and he died due to injuries. They shifted him to the hospital the next day, claiming that he suffered a sudden bout of illness. Kumar was declared brought dead at the hospital," the inspector said.

A case was registered under Sections 103(1) (Murder) and 238 (Causing disappearance of evidence, or giving false information to screen offender), read with 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) on June 7.

"Seven other accused, who are the neighbours and relatives of Padma's family, are absconding," the inspector said.