A shocking murder case from Bihar’s East Champaran district has triggered tension and widespread discussion after the police claimed to have solved the killing of a Hindu man, Ajay Patel, within hours of recovering his body. On 10th May, the East Champaran Police officially stated that a woman identified as Tabbu Khatoon had been arrested for allegedly planning the murder, while her husband Aslam Mian and several other accused were still absconding at the time of the statement.

The incident took place in the Math Lohiyan Chhatwaniya locality falling under the Harsiddhi police station area. According to the police investigation, Ajay Patel was allegedly involved in a relationship with Tabbu Khatoon. What initially appeared to be a case of suicide soon turned into a murder investigation after police noticed several suspicious signs at the scene.

Ajay Patel’s body was discovered hanging inside a cattle shed during the night of 9th May. Villagers who first saw the body informed local authorities, after which police teams rushed to the spot. As officers began examining the location and the body, they reportedly found several injury marks that did not match a normal suicide case. Blood stains were also allegedly recovered from the residence of Tabbu Khatoon, which further deepened suspicion.

In its statement, the police said that the accused had first attacked Ajay brutally and killed him before attempting to stage the crime scene as a suicide. Investigators believe the body was later hanged using a rope inside the cattle shed so that the death would appear self-inflicted and investigators could be misled during the initial stages of the probe.

Tabbu Khatoon arrested, husband Aslam Mian on the run

While addressing the media, Areraj DSP Ravi Kumar confirmed that Tabbu Khatoon, wife of Aslam Mian, had been arrested as the alleged main conspirator in the case. According to officials, Ajay Patel and Tabbu Khatoon allegedly knew each other closely and were reportedly involved in a relationship. The matter had reportedly gained attention earlier as photographs and videos linked to the two had circulated widely.

Police officials further stated that Aslam Mian had allegedly been planning the murder for nearly two months while staying in Nepal. Investigators suspect that he coordinated the conspiracy from there before returning to execute the plan with the help of associates. On the day of the incident, Ajay was allegedly attacked by Aslam and others before being killed. After the murder, the accused allegedly shifted the body to the cowshed area and hanged it to create a false impression of suicide.

During the investigation, police recovered several important pieces of evidence from the crime scene. These included pieces of the rope allegedly used for hanging the body, a mobile phone, slippers belonging to the deceased, and other material connected to the incident. Officials also deployed the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team along with a dog squad to gather technical and physical evidence from the area.

Investigators are continuing raids to arrest the remaining accused who are still absconding. Police officials have not ruled out the possibility of more arrests in connection with the case as the investigation progresses further.

Victim had returned home from Punjab days before murder

Ajay Patel reportedly worked as a tailor in Ludhiana, Punjab, where he earned his livelihood. According to reports, he had returned to his native village on 6th May, only a few days before the incident took place. His sudden death has left his family devastated and created panic in the village locality where the body was recovered.

The body was found near a canal-side cattle shelter in the village, and news of the incident quickly spread among local residents. Soon after the recovery of the body, Ajay’s mother, Prema Devi, approached the police and filed a complaint. Based on her statement, an FIR was registered against eight accused persons connected to the case.

Reports further suggest that Tabbu Khatoon was one of the two wives of Aslam Mian. It has also been reported that Aslam had four children with his first wife and two children with Tabbu Khatoon. While Tabbu has been arrested by the East Champaran Police, the remaining accused, including Aslam Mian, were absconding at the time the statement was released.

According to the police, the investigation is still underway and teams are conducting searches to trace all accused linked to the murder conspiracy.