A suspected road accident in Sonbhadra has turned into a murder investigation after police alleged that an NCL employee was killed by his wife and her alleged lover and that the body was later placed beside a road to make the death appear accidental.The deceased has been identified as 42-year-old Ramashankar Mishra, a senior overman with Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) at its Beena project. Police have arrested his wife Priyanka Mishra, her alleged lover Vikas Chauhan and two other men in connection with the case.According to the police investigation, Ramashankar returned home on August 22, earlier than his usual time, and allegedly found Priyanka with Vikas. A dispute followed, during which police allege that Priyanka and Vikas strangled him and hit his head against the floor, causing his death.

‘If you had come at 5, you would have survived’

A statement attributed to the interrogation of the accused has emerged during the investigation.According to the report, the woman allegedly told her husband that if he had returned at around 5 pm as usual, he would have remained alive, but he had arrived at around 3 pm that day.The statement should be treated as an investigation-related claim, not as an independently established fact or a judicial finding.

Police say the body was made to look like an accident

After the alleged killing, police say Vikas contacted two other men, Anurag Singh alias Badal and Sonu Gupta.According to the police account, the four men wrapped the body and took it to the Beena Stadium-Jamshila road area, where it was left beside the road. Police say an attempt was also made to create circumstances suggesting that Ramashankar had died in a road accident.Ramashankar's body was recovered on August 23. The initial circumstances suggested a possible road accident, but investigators later became suspicious after examining the scene and the injuries on the body.

Family's suspicion changed the direction of the case

The case took a different turn after Ramashankar's family raised suspicion of murder.His father subsequently approached police with a complaint naming Priyanka and Vikas and alleging a relationship between them. Police then examined call records, mobile locations and other technical evidence.The investigation led police to the alleged involvement of Priyanka, Vikas, Anurag and Sonu.Police said the case was solved within about 24 hours of the murder case being registered, following examination of technical and other evidence.

Four accused arrested

Police have arrested:

• Priyanka Mishra, wife of the deceased
• Vikas Chauhan, her alleged lover
• Anurag Singh alias Badal
• Sonu Gupta

Police say all four have been taken into custody in connection with the murder and disposal of the body.

Economic angle also under investigation

Investigators are also examining whether Ramashankar's employment and financial benefits were a possible motive.Some reports have referred to his job and insurance or other financial benefits as a possible reason behind the alleged murder. However, this aspect remains part of the investigation and should not be presented as an established motive unless police or court records conclusively establish it.

What the police have established so far

The police version is that Ramashankar's death was not a routine road accident. Investigators allege that he was killed inside his residence after returning earlier than usual, after which his body was taken away and placed beside a road to mislead investigators.The case is now being investigated as murder. The allegations against the four arrested people will ultimately be tested through the criminal justice process.