Navi Mumbai Police solved a nearly 11-month-old blind murder case in Airoli’s Yadav Nagar, arresting a woman and her alleged lover in connection with the killing of her husband.

The accused have been identified as Sunita Kushwah (40), wife of the deceased, and Rahul Dashrath Prajapati (30), a rickshaw driver from Ghansoli. The victim has been identified as Baliram Suryanath Kushwah (50).

According to police, Sunita and Rahul allegedly planned the murder after Baliram objected to their relationship. Police said the accused allegedly killed Baliram at his residence and later attempted to conceal the crime by chopping his body into pieces and disposing of his remains in a forest area.

Speaking about the investigation, Senior Police Inspector Devidas Kathole of Rabale MIDC Police Station said that the case was a blind murder as there was no direct evidence initially. During the investigation, technical evidence, call detail records (CDR) and interrogation of the suspects helped the police uncover the conspiracy, he said.

Police said Baliram lived in Yadav Nagar with his wife and two children. During this period, Sunita allegedly developed a relationship with Rahul. After Baliram became aware of the relationship and opposed it, police alleged that the two accused decided to eliminate the obstacle.

Investigators said the children were sent to relatives before the alleged crime took place on August 9, 2025. Police said Baliram was allegedly killed at home, following which efforts were made to hide evidence and mislead the family.

After the incident, Sunita allegedly rented out the Yadav Nagar house and moved with her children to Rahul’s residence in Ghansoli. Police said she allegedly told relatives for several months that Baliram had left the house.

The case came to light after a missing persons complaint was registered at Rabale MIDC Police Station in April 2026. During the investigation, police found that both accused had changed their mobile phones and SIM cards. However, technical evidence, call records and discrepancies in their statements helped investigators trace their involvement.

Police said during questioning, both accused allegedly revealed details of the crime. Based on their information, teams have started searching the Gawli Dev hill area for further evidence.

The court has sent both accused to seven days of police custody. Further investigation in the case is underway.

Ayodhya, July 13: The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on Monday invited applications from eligible candidates for the post of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the temple as the controversy surrounding the donation irregularities deepens.

The selected candidate will be responsible for heading the temple’s administrative management and supervising its day-to-day functioning.

According to the notification issued by the Trust, interested and eligible candidates must submit their applications by 4 p.m. on July 18. The recruitment process has been initiated after a selection committee finalised the eligibility criteria and other conditions for the appointment.

As per the prescribed qualifications, applicants must hold a graduate degree and possess a minimum of 20 years of experience in administration or finance.

The Trust has also stated that preference will be given to candidates with prior experience in temple administration or management. In addition, applicants are required to be followers of the Hindu faith.

The recruitment process comes at a time when the Supreme Court has issued notices to the Centre, the Uttar Pradesh government and the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on petitions seeking an independent, court-monitored investigation into the alleged misappropriation of donations made to the Ram Temple.

The apex court has also directed the Uttar Pradesh government’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) to submit a status report and disclose the composition of the investigating team.

According to the Trust, the selected Chief Executive Officer will initially be appointed for a period of three years.

The successful candidate will also be required to reside in Ayodhya throughout the tenure to effectively oversee the temple’s administrative and operational responsibilities.

The selection committee has additionally decided to appoint a Secretary to assist in carrying out the recruitment process and facilitate the appointment of the new Chief Executive Officer.

The development assumes significance in view of the ongoing controversy relating to the alleged embezzlement of donations received by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

Earlier on Sunday, in an interview with media, Ram Mandir Construction Committee Chairman Nripendra Misra hoped that the new arrangement at the Ram Mandir, including the appointment of a Chief Executive Officer answerable to the temple trust, will continue to focus on the welfare of devotees who have shown no signs of ‘distrust’ in the system.

Misra indicated that it was time to add another layer to strengthen the system for preventing a recurrence of the regrettable donation row. He said the CEO will look into the entire state of affairs, seeking advice from the general secretary and mandate from the trust, with no scope for government interference.

“The CEO will be an additional link in the system. The hierarchy of the existing system is not being disturbed. The trust is supreme, and its decisions will be final,” said Misra over the work profile and powers of an official.

New Delhi, July 13: A Delhi Police constable allegedly shot his wife dead in East Delhi’s Kalyanpuri area following a domestic dispute, police said on Monday.

Preliminary investigation suggests that the couple had been experiencing frequent marital discord for some time and were often involved in arguments over personal issues.

According to the police, the incident took place after another altercation broke out between the couple on Sunday.

The officials said the husband and wife had left their residence together on a scooter, but the argument reportedly continued while they were travelling.

During the course of the investigation, police recovered CCTV footage that allegedly captured the couple stopping their scooter on the roadside before stepping off the vehicle.

The footage is said to show them engaging in a heated argument moments before the shooting took place.

According to sources, the CCTV footage shows the constable and his wife stopping their scooter and stepping off the vehicle. They were seen arguing when the constable took out his service pistol and shot his wife.

The investigators said that the accused allegedly fled the spot immediately after the incident. Police teams have since launched a search operation to trace him and are scanning CCTV footage from the surrounding area as well as along the possible escape routes to reconstruct his movements and establish the exact sequence of events.

The accused constable was posted with the Anti-Theft Squad of the East district at the time of the incident.

As part of the investigation, police are also questioning family members and other individuals known to the couple to understand the circumstances that allegedly led to the fatal shooting.

Police have registered a case in connection with the incident and said further investigation is currently underway.