A woman in Jharkhand’s Ranchi has been arrested for allegedly smothering her paralysed father-in-law to death with a pillow following a domestic dispute, police said on Sunday. The incident took place in the Vidyanagar area and has triggered shock in the locality.
The victim, identified as Dr KP Gupta, was a well-known homeopathic practitioner who had been bedridden for the past few months after suffering paralysis. According to police, the accused daughter-in-law, Nikita, allegedly attacked him when other family members were away from home on Saturday afternoon.
Officials said the victim’s wife had gone to deliver food to her son at his shop when the incident occurred. Police sources said there had been frequent domestic disputes between the accused and her father-in-law over various issues.
The victim’s son, Saurabh, alleged that his wife tried to destroy evidence after the killing. He claimed she attempted to hide the pillow used in the crime on the terrace, and police later recovered it with bloodstains. He also alleged that she tried to damage CCTV cameras installed inside the house.
Saurabh, who married Nikita in November 2025, told police he had installed CCTV cameras to monitor his father’s condition remotely while at work. According to him, he noticed an altercation on the live feed and rushed home after shutting his shop, but by then it was too late.
Speaking to reporters outside the police station, Saurabh broke down while demanding strict punishment for his wife. He alleged that the killing was carried out in a “brutal manner” and described his wife as a “psycho killer”.
The body has been sent to Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) for post-mortem examination.
Speaking to India Today TV, Ranchi City SP, Paras Rana, said that a case has been registered and the matter is being investigated from all angles. He said CCTV footage currently shows only the accused entering and leaving the room, but the exact cause of death is yet to be confirmed.
Police said the elderly man had pre-existing health complications, including paralysis and a history of heart attack, and officials are examining whether those conditions played any role in his death.
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Published By:
Sahil Sinha
Published On:
May 10, 2026 18:07 IST
