Estranged wife, paramour held for murdering Delhi businessman (Lead)

A 28-year-old woman and her paramour were arrested Friday for stabbing to death her businessman husband in the capital so that the two could get married, police said.

Sumit Kaur and Puneet, 31, confessed to killing Jagmohan Singh Kohli, 32, late Wednesday night at his Rajouri Garden residence in west Delhi, a police officer said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Sharad Agarwal said: “Kaur had arranged for duplicate keys of the house and gave it to Puneet so that he could enter the house. Both of them overpowered Kohli, who was sleeping, and stabbed him to death.”

“Not convinced that Kohli was dead. They strangulated him by wrapping a 'chunni' (stole) around his neck. After the murder, they washed the floor of the house to remove the blood stains,” said Agarwal.

According to police, Kaur had promised Puneet Rs.500,000 for killing her husband and even gave Rs.50,000 cash to him after the murder.

Kohli and Kaur had a love marriage nine years back and had two children.

However, for last three years there was a rift between them after Kohli came to know about her relationship with Puneet.

Kaur was staying at her parental home with her children for the past three months and had come back a day before the murder.

Puneet, a resident of Rajouri Garden, was into the business of lending money on interest and had lent Rs.400,000 to Kohli some months back.

On the murder motive, Agarwal said: “Puneet's wife had divorced him and he wanted to marry Kaur as both of them were fond of each other. He wanted to recover his money from Kohli and Kaur had assured him all help. He thought that by killing Kohli both the things could be attained.”

Puneet told police that Kaur had influenced him by saying that she was being harassed by Kohli and they can live a better life together.

Kaur had earlier told police that Kohli, owner of a rubber factory, was stabbed to death by four men after he refused to give them Rs.400,000.

Kohli's brother, however, had alleged the involvement of his estranged wife in the murder.

Police apprehended Kaur Thursday after her statements were found to be contradictory.

During interrogation, Kaur told police that she had several boyfriends but police zeroed in on Puneet following her mobile phone call details. Both knew each other for the last five years, police said.

Last updated on Jul 10^th, 2009 at 20:24 pm IST--IANS