Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh | September 3, 2025

In a shocking case from Uttar Pradesh’s Mainpuri district, police have arrested a 26-year-old man accused of strangling his 52-year-old lover to death following disputes over marriage and money. The accused, identified as Arun Rajput, was arrested on Monday, weeks after the incident, police confirmed.

The victim, Rani, a resident of Farrukhabad, reportedly developed a relationship with Rajput through social media. According to police, the two first came into contact around one and a half years ago via Instagram. Their friendship deepened, and about two months ago, they exchanged phone numbers and began meeting in person.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Arun Kumar Singh told reporters that the relationship had turned sour when the victim allegedly began pressuring Rajput to marry her. “On August 11, a woman’s body was recovered near Kharpari Bamba in the Kotwali police station area. During the investigation, it was revealed that the accused, Arun Rajput, had strangled her,” Singh said.

Police reports suggest that Rani had also demanded the return of money she had lent to Rajput, estimated between ₹1–1.5 lakh. The financial dispute, combined with the marriage pressure, is believed to have escalated tensions between the two. Rajput allegedly confessed that he had been under stress for several days due to her demands.

According to investigators, on the day of the incident, an argument broke out between the two while they were together at the crime scene. In a fit of rage, Rajput allegedly used Rani’s dupatta to strangle her to death. After the murder, he removed the SIM card from her phone and fled the scene with it. The police later recovered both the mobile phone and the SIM card during the investigation.

During interrogation, Rajput also cited another reason for refusing to marry the woman. He claimed that she had used Instagram filters to make herself appear younger than her actual age, which led to a sense of betrayal once he discovered her true age. Police stated that the accused viewed this as a form of deception, which further aggravated his refusal to commit to the relationship.

The victim, who was a mother of four, had continued the relationship despite the significant age gap. Police said she had been persistent in seeking marriage with Rajput, which appears to have been one of the main triggers behind the tragic outcome.

SP Singh stated that the accused had been taken into custody and further investigation is ongoing. He added that the murder was not premeditated but stemmed from mounting personal conflicts between the two. “The accused admitted he had been tense for several days. When the argument intensified, he strangled her, leading to her death,” Singh explained.

The case has drawn attention both for the brutal nature of the crime and for the unusual circumstances surrounding it, particularly the role of social media in initiating the relationship. Authorities have underscored the importance of exercising caution in online interactions, especially when they transition into offline relationships.

With the accused in custody, police are now preparing to file charges as the investigation progresses. The murder has left the local community shocked, highlighting once again the volatile consequences of personal disputes escalating into violence.