Gorakhpur: Gorakhpur police on Monday arrested a man, his wife and father-in-law for the murder of his former live-in partner, whose nude body was found under a bridge in PP Ganj on Jan 30.The police said the accused mutilated the victim’s face after the murder. Besides, to hide his identity he also shaved his head and beard.The police said victim Priya Shetty (35), a Mumbai resident, was strangled by her boyfriend Vijay Kumar Sahni. Her body was later stripped, her face smashed with bricks and dumped about 20 feet below Barghatta bridge. Vijay’s wife Sandhya and father-in-law Rambilas Sahni are also accused in the case.According to SP, north, Gyanendra Prasad and SP, south, Dinesh Puri, CCTV footage and surveillance led the police to the accused. An autorickshaw driver, seen on CCTV with the trio on the night of the crime, played a key role in cracking the case.Vijay told police he had been in a relationship with Priya since 2012 and had lived with her in Mumbai, where they also had a son. After separating, he married Sandhya in 2014. Priya later reconnected with him and allegedly began pressuring him to take her to his native place, threatening public trouble otherwise.On Jan 26, Vijay brought Priya and his wife from Mumbai to Gorakhpur. After days of drinking and travelling together, the trio reached PPGanj on Jan 29. Following arguments and heavy drinking, Priya allegedly created a scene near the bridge where Vijay strangled her with Sandhya’s help. The accused then dumped the body and attempted to destroy evidence.All three have been sent to jail, police said.
