Khargone: A 45-year-old man from Khargone district in Madhya Pradesh allegedly strangled his fourth wife, buried her beneath his bed, and reportedly slept over her grave in remorse before taking his own life, police said on Saturday.

According to Badwah police station in-charge Balram Singh Rathore, the man, identified as Laxman, had been married to 40-year-old Rukmani for six years. It was Laxman's fourth marriage and Rukmani's third. The couple had no children together, and their respective children from previous marriages lived with their former spouses.

Police said both Laxman and Rukmani were alcoholics and often engaged in frequent fights.

Tragic discovery

On Friday, Laxman emerged from his house in Sulgaon village and informed his neighbours that he had consumed pesticide. By the time the villagers alerted the authorities, Laxman had already died, Rathore said.

When police arrived at the scene, they began searching for Rukmani and discovered a woman's hand protruding from the ground beneath Laxman's bed. A strong foul odour filled the room.

Preliminary findings

Police exhumed the body, which is believed to have been buried three to four days earlier. Although the post-mortem reports are still awaited, preliminary investigations suggest that Laxman had strangled Rukmani to death, Rathore said.

In the days following the alleged murder, Laxman had locked the house and told neighbours that his wife had gone to visit relatives. As the foul smell began to arouse suspicion, it is believed Laxman, overwhelmed by guilt and panic, ended his own life, Rathore added.

PTI inputs