Jhansi has been rocked by a horrifying crime that came to light after the alertness of a loader driver exposed disturbing evidence hidden inside a metal trunk. Police are searching for a retired railway employee Ram Singh Parihar accused of brutally killing his live-in partner, burning her body, and attempting to destroy all traces of the crime by dumping the remains into a river.
The incident surfaced late Saturday night when a loader driver grew suspicious while transporting a heavy blue metal trunk to a house in the City Kotwali area of Jhansi. The unusual weight of the trunk and the nervous behaviour of the men accompanying it raised alarm. After unloading the consignment, the driver contacted the police control room.
Police reached the location and forced open the trunk, uncovering charred human remains, bone fragments, and burnt material. Forensic teams were immediately called to collect samples and examine the evidence, confirming the gruesome nature of the crime.
Investigators identified the prime accused as Ram Singh Parihar, a retired railway employee. Police said Parihar had two wives. His first wife lives in Jhansi’s Sipri Bazaar area, while his second wife, Geeta, resides in the City Kotwali locality. The victim, identified as Preeti, a 35-year-old woman, was reportedly in a live-in relationship with Parihar and lived separately.
According to the preliminary investigation, the murder was allegedly triggered by repeated disputes over money. Police said the victim had been demanding large sums of money and had already taken several lakhs of rupees from the accused. The killing is believed to have taken place around January 8 following an argument between the two.
After the murder, Parihar allegedly wrapped the woman’s body in a tarpaulin and placed it inside a large blue metal trunk. He then set the trunk on fire in an attempt to eliminate evidence. Neighbours told police that the accused had been collecting firewood for several days prior to the incident. Several residents also reported a strong and foul smell in the area but assumed it was due to wood being burnt to keep warm during the winter.
Once the body was reduced to ashes, the accused reportedly collected the remains in sacks and dumped them into a nearby river to erase evidence. Despite this attempt, some charred remains and burnt material were left behind inside the trunk, which ultimately led to the exposure of the crime.
Police said that the trunk was being shifted to the house of Parihar’s second wife when the incident was reported. His son Nitin, from the second marriage, along with a few friends, accompanied the trunk during transportation. The suspicious circumstances prompted the loader driver, identified as Jaysingh Pal, to alert authorities, playing a key role in cracking the case.
A case has been registered based on a complaint filed by the victim’s ex-husband. Police have launched a manhunt to trace and arrest the accused, who is currently absconding. Senior officials said multiple teams are working on the case, and all possible angles, including the involvement or knowledge of others, are being thoroughly investigated.
The shocking incident has left the local community disturbed, highlighting how personal and financial conflicts can escalate into extreme violence. Police officials said forensic reports are awaited and assured that strict action will be taken once the accused is arrested.