This tragic and horrifying incident in Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, has shocked the community and brought attention to the dark side of real estate dealings. Anjali, a 28-year-old widow and mother of two, had placed her trust in a property dealer, Shivendra alias Bala, by paying him Rs 6 lakh in installments for a plot of land. However, despite the substantial payment, Shivendra failed to complete the registry and provide her with possession of the land as promised. This situation dragged on for months, with Shivendra continuously delaying the process. Anjali, frustrated and desperate to get her hard-earned money back, started demanding a refund.
On April 7, 2025, Shivendra invited Anjali to his residence under the false pretense of returning her money. When Anjali arrived, he served her alcohol, and along with his friend Gaurav, he viciously strangled her to death. After committing the gruesome murder, they discarded her lifeless body in the Yamuna River beneath a bridge, hoping to make the crime disappear. They even burned Anjali's scooter to cover their tracks further.
That night, when Anjali did not return home, her elder sister Kiran grew worried. She had been aware of the ongoing issues with Shivendra regarding the plot and the false documents he had provided her sister. Kiran immediately suspected foul play and reported the matter to the police. She recalled how Shivendra had been postponing the possession of the plot for two months, which added to her concerns.
The police investigation quickly took a turn when they discovered Anjali’s burnt scooter in a nearby drain. This evidence led the authorities to suspect Shivendra’s involvement. Upon being questioned, Shivendra admitted to the murder, detailing how he and Gaurav had planned and executed the crime. He even disclosed the location where they had dumped the body, prompting the police to enlist the help of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) for a search in the Yamuna River.
After several hours of searching, the SDRF team located Anjali’s body several kilometers downstream. The body was recovered and identified by her family, confirming the worst fears of her loved ones. The police have since arrested Shivendra and Gaurav, and the investigation continues as they gather more evidence. The police have recovered the car used in the murder, a towel, and other items tied to the crime, which strengthens the case against the accused.
This case has raised serious concerns about the exploitation that often occurs in real estate transactions, where individuals like Anjali are left vulnerable. It also highlights the severe consequences of deceit and betrayal, where a person’s trust and desperation are taken advantage of in the most tragic of ways. The community now faces the heartbreaking loss of a mother who was trying to secure a better life for her children, only to fall victim to a senseless crime.
