Man killed over ₹7,000 dispute linked to alleged sexual relations:Woman, husband brother allegedly plotted attack; victim stabbed in private parts

Katni police have solved the murder case of photographer Pradeep Sahu (23), killed on 17 April. The murder was carried out over a dispute related to money exchanged in return for physical relations. New Katni police station has arrested Shivani Jaiswal, her husband Vipin Dubey, and her brother Manish Jaiswal. All three have been sent to jail after being produced in court. Shivani has told police that the dispute arose over ₹7,000 linked to physical relations. However, the victim’s family claims that Pradeep was a simple, hardworking and honest person who could never be involved in such activities. Bhaskar investigated the contradictory claims. Read the full report… Chapter 1: Family says victim was called and trapped To investigate the case, the Bhaskar team reached village Pahariya, around 48 km from Katni district headquarters. After asking for directions, a young man pointed towards a mud house with freshly painted walls. Pradeep’s father Suraj Sahu met the team outside the house and took them inside. Inside the courtyard, the family was in mourning. Pradeep’s mother, brother and other relatives were sitting on the floor. His mother was sitting near his room door, while elder brother Ashok Sahu was scrolling through his photographs on his mobile phone. Elder brother said- Police told about death in accident Ashok Sahu said the entire village knows that whatever is being said about him is not true. He said Pradeep was trapped and called there. He added that police initially informed them it was an accident and called them to the main road. Later at the hospital, they were told Pradeep had died. He said that when they saw the body, there were no external bleeding marks on the upper body, but there were deep injuries in the lower body. He said Pradeep was stabbed in his private parts. This has also been confirmed by post-mortem doctor Dr. Anil Jamdani, who said Pradeep was hit on the stomach with a heavy object and had deep wounds on the lower body and near private parts, which led to excessive bleeding and death. Father said – He was working in Pune and managing household expenses Pradeep’s father Suraj Sahu works in furniture making. He said his son was talented and never stayed idle. After studying up to Class 12 and completing ITI from a private school in Katni, he had been working for the past four years in Pune at Tata Toy Electronics Company. He used to send money home regularly. He said Pradeep came home on 13 April. On 17 April around 4 am, police called him and asked him to reach the main road. When he reached there with his elder son Ashok, police took them to the station and showed a blood-stained photo of Pradeep, saying it was an accident. Later, before post-mortem at around 9 am, they were shown the body, which had sharp weapon injuries. They realised it was not an accident but a murder. Mother said – If I hadn’t called him, he would be alive today Pradeep’s mother Shilya Sahu broke down while speaking. She said Pradeep was facing food issues in Pune and his LPG cylinder had finished. He informed her, and she asked him to come home for a few days. He initially refused but later agreed. He came home on 13 April and immediately started helping in farm work with his father. He also started receiving photography bookings. She said on 16 April at 5 pm, Pradeep left home saying he had a wedding photography booking in Katni. He last spoke to her around 8 pm, saying to send his father as a thresher had come to the field. She said that was their last conversation and that he came home only because of her request. Chapter 2: One relationship earlier, dispute over ₹7,000 led to murder According to police, accused Shivani Jaiswal admitted in her statement that she had physical relations with Pradeep earlier. She said Pradeep called her on Friday around 8:30 pm and asked to meet, but she refused citing her small child. She alleged that Pradeep then offered ₹7,000 in exchange for physical relations and insisted on meeting. She informed her husband Vipin Dubey and brother Manish Jaiswal, after which they decided to take money from him. She arranged a room at her acquaintance Sheela Yadav’s house for a few hours. Accused said- Pradeep said he would pay the money later Shivani said she called Pradeep to the room around 9 pm. Her husband and brother hid in another part of the house. After Pradeep arrived and entered the room, she demanded money. He said he would pay later. As per the plan, Vipin and Manish knocked on the door. She opened it immediately. Vipin allegedly slapped and scolded her, then both men caught Pradeep and beat him. She said she held his legs while her husband allegedly stabbed him in the private parts. Hearing screams, Sheela and her husband came there. By then, Pradeep ran and collapsed nearby. The accused then cleaned the blood-stained room and went back home. Accused caught through neighbors’ statements and CCTV footage ASP Dr. Santosh Kumar Dehariya said locals informed Dial 112 about the incident. Police reached the spot, shifted Pradeep to hospital, where doctors declared him dead. A case was registered under murder charges and investigation began. Police recorded statements of neighbours and also questioned Sheela Yadav. It was found that Shivani, Vipin and Manish had a dispute with Pradeep. CCTV footage showed the three planning the incident and Pradeep entering Sheela’s house. All three were arrested and later admitted their involvement during interrogation. They were produced in court on Tuesday and sent to jail.