New Delhi: What was initially believed to be an accidental electrocution has now been confirmed as a premeditated murder, following the death of a 36-year-old man in Delhi’s Uttam Nagar. According to the NDTV report, the police have arrested the victim’s wife and his paternal cousin after incriminating messages uncovered on Instagram exposed a chilling murder conspiracy.

The victim, Karan Dev, was declared dead on the morning of 13 July at a hospital in West Delhi’s Janakpuri. At the time, his wife, Sushmita, told relatives that he had died of an electric shock sustained at home. The family accepted her version of events and initially declined a post-mortem, assuming the death was accidental.

However, Delhi Police insisted on a post-mortem due to the victim’s young age and suspicious circumstances. His body was sent to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital in Hari Nagar for examination.

The case took a dramatic turn three days later, on July 16, when Karan’s younger brother, Kunal Dev, retrieved a conversation from Instagram between Sushmita and Rahul, Karan’s paternal cousin, allegedly revealing the murder plot. Kunal recorded the chat on video and submitted it to the police.

According to police sources, the messages revealed that on the night of July 12, Sushmita had mixed 15 sleeping pills into Karan’s food. When the sedatives failed to have an immediate effect, she grew increasingly anxious and sought advice from Rahul. She reportedly messaged him, expressing concern that three hours had passed since Karan had eaten, but there were no signs of vomiting, bowel movement, or any visible reaction, and more crucially, that he was still alive.

In response, Rahul allegedly instructed her to “give him a shock” if nothing else worked. Sushmita then asked how she could tie him up to administer the shock, to which Rahul replied, “With tape.” As Karan’s breathing slowed, Rahul urged her to give him all the remaining medicine. Sushmita reportedly told him she was unable to open Karan’s mouth but could pour water in. She then suggested Rahul come over, saying they might be able to manage it together.

Police allege that when sedation did not fully incapacitate Karan, the accused applied electric current to his finger in an attempt to kill him and make the death appear accidental. Sushmita then allegedly informed her in-laws that Karan had suffered an electric shock. The family rushed to the flat and took him to the hospital, where he was declared dead.

Both Rahul and Sushmita reportedly resisted the post-mortem, but police proceeded with it by procedure. The autopsy raised suspicions, and with Kunal’s submission of the chat evidence on July 16, a formal First Information Report (FIR) was registered.

During interrogation, both suspects confessed to their roles in the murder, police sources said. Sushmita allegedly told investigators that Karan had slapped and abused her the day before Karwa Chauth and frequently demanded money from her, claims that are now under further investigation.

The two accused are currently in police custody as the investigation continues.