Daijiworld Media Network - Ballia

Ballia, Mar 2: A man was allegedly murdered by a married woman and her family members in Uttar Pradesh’s Ballia district after he reportedly began blackmailing her when she tried to end their relationship, police said.

According to officials, the body of an unidentified young man with his face severely mutilated was found on February 10, triggering an investigation. The victim was later identified as Pankaj Gupta, a resident of Azamgarh.

Police said Gupta was allegedly in a relationship with a married woman from a neighbouring village. Investigators revealed that when the woman attempted to end the affair, Gupta allegedly started blackmailing her using obscene videos and subjected her to repeated harassment.

Unable to cope with the alleged threats, the woman reportedly confided in her brother and sister-in-law. Police said the trio, along with two others, hatched a plan to eliminate Gupta during a wedding function on February 5.

On February 7, Gupta was allegedly lured to the village on a pretext, where he was strangled to death. The accused then disfigured his face with acid in an attempt to conceal his identity before dumping the body, officials said.

Superintendent of Police Om Veer Singh stated that Gupta had been harassing the woman and that her family members called him to the village and murdered him. Three of the five named accused, including the woman, have been arrested and sent to judicial custody, while two others remain absconding.

Police said raids are underway to apprehend the remaining suspects and further investigation is in progress.