Jealousy turns fatal: Widow burns ex-lover’s wife, infant to death in Telangana's Nalgonda

HYDERABAD: A brutal crime rooted in jealousy shocked Keerthipally village in Nampally mandal of Nalgonda district on Saturday, where a widow allegedly set ablaze her former boyfriend's wife and their six-month-old infant. The woman died on the spot, while the infant succumbed to burn injuries while being rushed to a hospital.

The victim, K Mamatha (26), was at home with her younger son, Advith, when the accused, M Sujatha (42), attacked them around 11.30 am. Mamatha's husband, K Nagesh Yadav (29), a farmer, had left the house for work shortly before the incident. Their elder son, Sadvith (5), was not present at the time. The accused woman was taken into custody and formally arrested on charges of murder.


Explaining the sequence of events, deputy superintendent of police (Nalgonda) MV Srinivas Rao said Sujatha from the same village entered the house in Nagesh's absence. She allegedly carried chilli powder, a knife and a bottle of petrol. On seeing Mamatha holding her infant, Sujatha is said to have poured petrol on both of them and lit a matchstick. The burning Mamatha ran out of the house and collapsed on the ground.

Villagers rushed to the spot on hearing her screams and alerted Nagesh, who hurried back from the fields. Mamatha had already died by then. The severely injured infant was shifted to Niloufer Hospital in Hyderabad, where doctors declared him brought dead.

Police said Nagesh and Mamatha were married in 2020 and were living peacefully with their two children. Prior to his marriage, Nagesh had been in a relationship with Sujatha. After he distanced himself and married Mamatha, Sujatha allegedly began creating disturbances. Village elders had earlier intervened and held meetings, advising both to stay away from each other.

However, investigators said Sujatha continued to pursue Nagesh and objected to his refusal to maintain the relationship. On Friday, she allegedly warned him that she would make his life miserable. Police believe she closely observed his movements and waited for an opportunity to strike.

Minutes after Nagesh left the house on Saturday morning, Sujatha allegedly entered the residence and committed the double murder.