Maharashtra: Woman, her paramour arrested for her husband's murder in Thane

The alleged accused, Deepati Patankar (who worked in a school as a clerk) and her cousin Samadan Pashankar from Pune (40, her maternal aunt's son), were arrested on Tuesday, police said.

The two were in physical relationship for a long time and Samadan used to visit her frequently, especially when her husband, Pramod Patankar (43, who worked with LIC in Mumbai), was away in office.

The relations between the husband and the wife were sore, as the former reprimanded the latter over her illicit relations, after the lovers were caught in a compromising position by the victim in 2015, The couple also had a nine-year-old daughter.

On the fateful day of July 15, accused Samadhan had entered the building by giving a fake name as Vijay and gained entry into the flat. Later, Pramod was given a tea laced with 20 sleeping pills, consequently, he fell drowsy and then he was strangulated, police said.

The duo had earlier made an attempt to kill the husband in a similar manner, but it was unsuccessful.

Following the death of the husband, the Navghar police station under the Bhayander division had initially registered a case of accidental death, however, subsequent investigations confirmed it to be one of murder, which was revealed from the call data records (CDR), close circuit TV camera footage and the lipstick mark on the teacup in the room.

Hence, the earlier offence was upgraded and a case under sections 302, 201 and 328 read with 34 of Indian Penal Code has been registered against the lovers.
Further probe into the crime was underway, sources added.