Husband Drowns Wife in Well, Lakhipur Police Arrest Him for Murder

A 32-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly murdering his wife by throwing her into a well in Binnakandi’s Khalkuri village under Lakhipur Police Station. The accused, Ranjit Goala (32), was taken into custody from Meherpur on Friday (June 27) evening after a case was filed by the victim’s father.

According to the complaint, Ranjit Goala, son of late Ramu Goala, married Ritu Goala in 2022. Ritu, originally from Nagapunji in Banskandi’s Badribasti, was allegedly subjected to continuous harassment and physical abuse over dowry demands shortly after the marriage.

Soon after the marriage, Ritu was allegedly subjected to repeated physical and mental abuse by her husband over dowry demands. Ranjit would frequently beat her and send her back to her parental home, said her uncle-in-law Motilal Goala. Local mediation efforts had earlier resolved the disputes through financial settlements. The couple also had a daughter, now about one and a half years old.

However, Ranjit’s behaviour did not change. He allegedly boasted about his connections, claiming to be a VDP secretary with close ties to Minister Kaushik Roy, and often threatened Ritu, saying he would kill her and no one would be able to touch him.

On Thursday evening, Ranjit called Ritu’s father, Rampati Goala, and informed him that Ritu had “fallen into the well.” By the time the family reached the spot, she had already been shifted to Silchar Medical College, where she was declared dead.

Suspecting foul play, Rampati lodged a police complaint on Friday, alleging that Ritu was murdered and thrown into the well to make it appear like a suicide. Family members claimed there were injury marks on her neck, further strengthening their suspicion.

Lakhipur Police, following an initial investigation, arrested Ranjit Goala and have assured a fair and thorough probe. After the post-mortem, Ritu’s body was handed over to her family for the last rites.