Police in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh, say they have solved the murder of a man whose body was found inside a large iron box dumped along a highway, arresting three people, including the victim's wife, within 12 hours of the discovery. The victim has been identified as Sonu. Police said the murder took place in the intervening night of October 19 and 20, and a juvenile has also been taken into protective custody.

Body Found in Iron Box Along the Highway

On October 20, Kotwali Sadar police reached the spot after receiving information about a suspicious box lying along the highway. When the box was opened, a body wrapped in a bedsheet and a blanket was found inside, and police suspected murder from the start.

After the body was identified as Sonu, a case was registered at Kotwali Sadar police station on a complaint filed by his brother Ashu. The Senior Superintendent of Police formed five teams, drawn from the SWAT unit, the surveillance team and Kotwali police, and directed them to solve the case at the earliest.

CCTV Footage Led Police to the Loader

Police examined CCTV footage from cameras installed around the spot where the box was found. The footage showed a small loader carrying a large box from the Gadan Khera side, and some time later the same vehicle returning without the box.

Footage from cameras along the route gave police the vehicle registration number, and the investigation led them to the loader's registered owner. That trail, police said, opened up the case and took them to the people behind the dumping of the body.

How the Murder Was Carried Out, According to Police

Police alleged that Sonu was murdered by his wife Neha in collusion with Jitendra Singh. According to police, the two attacked Sonu with a stone grinder, locally called a batta or lodha, and then pressed a blanket over his mouth to suffocate him. Police said they are still investigating the exact sequence of events.

After the murder, the body was wrapped in a bedsheet and blanket and placed inside the large iron box, police said. Neha allegedly hired the loader for Rs 1,200 on the pretext of vacating a room and shifting household belongings to another location. The box was loaded onto the vehicle with the help of Tauheed, a 25-year-old associate, and dumped along the highway.

What the SP Said at the Press Briefing

"Neha, Jitendra Singh and Tauheed have been arrested, while a juvenile was taken into protective custody. The stone grinder, iron box and loader allegedly used in the crime has also been recovered," said Superintendent of Police Jaiprakash Singh, addressing a press conference on Wednesday night.

Police are also investigating the possible involvement of the loader's registered owner and its driver. The recovery of the alleged weapon, the box and the vehicle in a single day is what police are presenting as the backbone of the case, along with the CCTV chain.

Disputes Between the Couple, as Told to Police

Police said further interrogation revealed that disputes between the couple had intensified over time. Neha allegedly told police that Sonu was addicted to intoxicants and that the two frequently argued and fought. These are claims made during questioning, as described by police, and they have not been tested in court.

According to police, Neha told investigators that she had married for the first time around 23 years ago. She came into contact with Sonu about seven to eight years ago, and the two later married.

What Happens Next

The three arrested accused will be produced before a court, and police say further investigation is underway, including into the role of the loader owner and driver. The juvenile taken into protective custody will be dealt with under the juvenile justice process. This article will be updated as police share the post-mortem findings and the court proceedings begin.