Kawardha: Woman murders sister-in-law over domestic feud, attempts to frame it as sexual assault

A 33-year-old woman was arrested in Chhattisgarh’s Kabirdham for killing her sister-in-law and stripping the body to mislead investigators.

In a chilling case of domestic animosity turned violent, the Kawardha police have arrested a woman for allegedly murdering her sister-in-law at a farm in Singarpur village. The accused, identified as Malti Markam, reportedly attempted to stage the crime scene to look like a sexual assault in a bid to divert the police investigation toward an unknown male suspect.

The victim, 32-year-old Belsiya Chhedaiya, was found dead in the Jhonkakhar fields on May 3. Initial observations by the Sahaspur Lohara police suggested a case of rape and murder as the body was found in a semi-nude state with brutal injuries to the head and face. However, forensic analysis and inconsistent evidence at the site soon led investigators back to the victim’s own family.

Dispute over household chores

According to senior police officials, the motive behind the murder was a long-standing bitterness between the two women. Malti had been living at her paternal home for the last five years after separating from her husband due to his alcohol addiction. Sources familiar with the matter said that frequent arguments occurred between Malti and Belsiya regarding daily household chores and the division of family resources.

The friction was not new. Local residents informed the police that the duo had engaged in physical altercations previously. Around six months ago, Malti had allegedly tried to strangulate Belsiya, but the family intervened just in time to prevent a tragedy.

Planned attack in the fields

On the morning of May 3, Malti reportedly tracked Belsiya to the fields where she was working alone. "The accused attacked the victim from behind using a heavy iron tool (locally known as a rapli). Multiple blows were struck to the head, leading to immediate death," a police spokesperson confirmed.

Following the murder, the accused admitted to tearing the victim’s clothes. She told investigators that she had seen similar crime scenarios on social media and news reports, which gave her the idea to frame the incident as a sexual crime by a stranger.

Forensic evidence nails accused

The police team, led by SP Dharmendra Singh, grew suspicious when the FSL (Forensic Science Laboratory) and Cyber Cell teams found no biological evidence of sexual assault. Recovery of specific items from the spot—including a sickle, broken bangles, and cloth fragments—began pointing toward a struggle involving a female assailant.

"The staging was deliberate but lacked consistency with the medical reports. During sustained interrogation, Malti Markam broke down and confessed to the crime," officials said.

Community in shock

The incident has left the village of Singarpur in shock. Neighbors described the family as hardworking but acknowledged that the internal bickering was a known issue. The police have recovered the murder weapon and the blood-stained clothes of the accused.

Malti Markam has been booked under relevant sections of the BNS (formerly IPC) for murder and destroying evidence. She was produced before a local court on Wednesday and has been sent to judicial remand.

Police call for vigilance

The Kabirdham police have urged citizens to report domestic disputes to the village panchayat or local outposts before they escalate into violence. This case marks the second major incident of domestic-related homicide in the region this month, following a similar violent outburst in Raipur where a man shot his relatives over a marital dispute.