What was initially believed to be an accidental death due to electrocution in West Delhi’s Uttam Nagar has now turned into a murder case after the emergence of a chat between the deceased’s wife and cousin. Police believe that Karan Dev, 36, was allegedly killed by his wife and paternal cousin in a calculated conspiracy. Dev’s wife and cousin have been arrested for their alleged role in the killing.

Dev was declared dead on the morning of July 13 at a hospital in Janakpuri. His wife, Sushmita, had claimed at the time that he had suffered a fatal electric shock at their residence. The family declined a post-mortem examination, assuming natural causes.

However, due to Dev’s relatively young age and suspicious circumstances surrounding his death, police insisted on an autopsy. His body was then sent to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital in Harinagar for a post-mortem examination.

The case took a dramatic turn when days after his death, Karan’s younger brother, Kunal Dev, discovered an incriminating Instagram chat between Sushmita and Rahul, Karan’s paternal cousin. The messages were recorded and submitted as video evidence to authorities on July 16 and pointed to a premeditated plot.

The conversation revealed that Sushmita had laced Karan’s food with 15 sleeping pills on the night of July 12. When the drugs didn’t produce the desired effect, the Dev’s wife became anxious and messaged Rahul.

“Check once how long it does it takes to die after taking the medicine. It’s been three hours since he ate food. No vomiting, no potty, nothing. And no death yet either. Then what should we do, suggest something,” her text read.

To this Rahul replied: “If you can’t figure anything out, give him a shock.”

The messages continued with Sushmita asking: “How to tie him up for the shock?”

Rahul’s response was: “With tape.” She later noted: “He’s breathing very slowly.”

Rahul suggested: “Give him all the medicine you have.” To which Sushmita responded:  “I can’t get his mouth open. I can pour water in, but I can’t give the medicine. You come here, maybe together we can manage to feed it to him.”

According to police, the accused had planned to make the victim’s death appear as an accidental electrocution. When the sedatives failed to act, they allegedly administered an electric shock, allegedly through his finger, while he remained semi-conscious, NDTV reported.

Following this, Sushmita went to her in-laws who lived nearby to report that her husband had suffered a shock. Karan Dev was then rushed to a hospital but was declared brought dead on arrival.

Notably, Rahul, who is now a key accused, had initially objected to the autopsy, as did Karan’s father. Despite resistance from the family, Delhi Police proceeded with the post-mortem under procedural protocols, suspecting foul play.

The case escalated on July 16 when Kunal presented the chat transcripts and filed a complaint accusing both Sushmita and Rahul of murder. Based on the evidence and interrogation, an FIR was registered and both suspects were arrested. They are said to have confessed during questioning, NDTV reported.

In her statement to the police, Sushmita reportedly cited domestic abuse and financial coercion as motives behind the act, claiming that her husband had assaulted her a day prior to Karwa Chauth and frequently demanded money.

The case is under further investigation.