Daijiworld Media Network - Saharanpur

Saharanpur, Dec 15: In a gruesome crime, Uttar Pradesh police have arrested a taxi driver for allegedly murdering and beheading his live-in partner before dumping her body in a forested area and returning home to prepare for another marriage.

Police said the victim, Uma (30), was killed by her boyfriend Bilal, a taxi driver from Saharanpur, who wanted to end the relationship to marry another woman. Uma’s headless body was found near Kalesar National Park in Haryana, prompting a cross-state investigation that led to the accused’s arrest on Sunday.

According to investigators, on the evening of December 6, Bilal picked up Uma in his Swift car from Saharanpur and drove around for nearly six hours. He later took her to a secluded spot near the Lal Dhang gorge close to the Kalesar forest, where he allegedly murdered her and severed her head before fleeing the scene.

After the killing, Bilal returned to Saharanpur and began shopping for his forthcoming wedding, behaving as if nothing had happened, police said. During interrogation, he allegedly confessed to the crime and led police to the spot where Uma’s severed head had been hidden. Efforts are on to recover the weapon used in the murder.

Police said Uma, a mother of a 13-year-old boy, had been living alone in Saharanpur following personal disputes and had been in a live-in relationship with Bilal for nearly two years. While the accused allegedly bore her expenses, his family was unaware of the relationship. Investigators said Bilal planned the killing to remove Uma from his life and proceed with another marriage.

Family members described Uma’s life as troubled, marked by long-standing personal turmoil. She had separated from her husband years ago and divorced him about a year and a half earlier. Her son lives with his father. Relatives said they learned about the murder only after police contacted them during the investigation.

Police have taken Bilal into custody and are continuing investigations, including forensic formalities and recovery of remaining evidence.