INDORE/DHAR: What was initially reported as a brutal late-night robbery in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district has now unravelled into a chilling story of betrayal, conspiracy and calculated deception — with the victim’s wife allegedly staging an emotional “robbery drama” moments after his murder to mislead police and relatives.Dev Krishna Purohit (28) was found stabbed to death at his home in Gondikheda Charan village, around 60 km from Indore, on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday. Within minutes of the incident, his wife Priyanka Purohit (25) began narrating a horrifying account, claiming a gang of robbers had stormed their house.Crying and appearing visibly shaken, she told relatives and others around her: “Unhone pehle humara muh dabaya. Bola jo hai vo dedo varna maar denge..inhone haath-pair maare aur ghaseet ke udhar le gaye. Aadha ghanta ho gaya chillate-chillate. Ek jan mere muh ke paas baitha tha. Haath aur pair peeche baandh rakhe the… chillane ki koshish ki toh bola pati ko maar denge…vo maarke chale gaye” She further claimed she handed over all valuables to save their lives, “Maine bola main sab de dungi… mera saamaan maine sab nikal ke de diya..”According to her version, there were multiple attackers. She said she saw two of them but believed there were more, adding that she had no idea when her husband was killed because she was tied up in another room.The dramatic narration — delivered in tears and panic — initially gave the impression of a violent robbery gone wrong. But as investigators began examining the scene, the story quickly started to fall apart.
Robbery story collapses
Police found that jewellery and valuables Priyanka claimed were looted were still inside the house. The nature of Dev Krishna’s injuries suggested a targeted attack rather than a random burglary. There were also inconsistencies in Priyanka’s statements, and crucial mobile data was missing.Within hours, suspicion deepened.Superintendent of Police Mayank Awasthi said the case was cracked within 36 hours as evidence pointed towards a planned murder rather than a robbery.
Affair, conspiracy and contract killing
During interrogation, investigators uncovered that Priyanka was allegedly in a relationship with a man identified as Kamlesh (32). The two are accused of conspiring to eliminate her husband.Police said the duo hired a contract killer, Surendra, for Rs 1 lakh to carry out the killing. The plan, according to officials, was not just to kill Dev Krishna but to stage the entire crime scene as a robbery to avoid suspicion.After the murder, Priyanka allegedly stuck to the script, crying, describing masked men, and claiming she was held hostage, in an attempt to create a believable narrative.Under sustained questioning, however, her version crumbled, and she eventually confessed to the conspiracy, police said.
Troubled marriage, family allegations
Family members described the couple’s relationship as deeply strained.The victim’s mother alleged that Priyanka rarely stayed at her matrimonial home and preferred to remain at her parental house. “Mayke mein hamesha rehti thi… yahan 4 din rehti thi, wahan 15 din. Aur yahan bhi jhagda karti thi… phone par bhi ladai hoti thi,” she said.Dev Krishna’s sister Jyoti also painted a grim picture of their marriage, alleging constant conflict and emotional distress. “Bhabhi har samay chidhi rehti thi… room mein roz jhagda hota tha,” she said.She further claimed that Priyanka would humiliate her brother over his appearance, allegedly telling him,“Tum kaale ho, mujhe deserve nahi karte.”Jyoti also alleged that she had suspected Priyanka’s relationship with another man since 2020, claiming the tensions had been building for years.
Investigation and arrests
Police said Priyanka was married to Dev Krishna when she was around 15 years old and moved to his house after attaining adulthood, but was unwilling to continue the relationship, leading to frequent disputes.Investigators believe the final plan was executed shortly after she returned from her parental home.Priyanka and Kamlesh have now been arrested, while the contract killer, Surendra, remains absconding. A case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and further investigation is underway.
From “robbery horror” to murder plot
What makes the case particularly striking for investigators is not just the alleged conspiracy, but the detailed and emotional “performance” that followed — a narrative of fear, violence and helplessness that briefly convinced those around her.In the end, what appeared to be a terrifying robbery turned out to be a meticulously planned killing — with police saying the truth emerged not from the crime scene alone, but from the contradictions behind the act.
