Jaipur/IBNS-CMEDIA: Jaipur Police have arrested a 23-year-old woman, her paternal uncle and five others after uncovering an alleged conspiracy to murder her widowed mother in a staged road accident to inherit her property and secure a government job on compassionate grounds.
According to police, the alleged murder plot was planned over three months and culminated in the death of 45-year-old Neeraj Sharma, who was struck by a speeding SUV in Jaipur’s Pratap Nagar area on July 3.
‘Rs 7 lakh contract for murder’
Investigators said Neeraj Sharma died after an SUV travelling at nearly 130 kmph ran her over in what was initially believed to be a road accident.
Police arrested Neeraj’s daughter, Ayushi Sharma, her paternal uncle Mohan Swaroop (56), alleged contract killer Hemant Sharma (20), and four of his associates.
Mohan Swaroop’s son, Balram alias Ravi, who is also Ayushi’s cousin, remains absconding.
Authorities have seized the SUV believed to have been used in the crime.
Property, govt job ‘motivated’ conspiracy
According to investigators, Neeraj’s husband, Vijay Kumar Sharma, who worked as a lower division clerk (LDC) in a court, died around a year ago.
Following his death, Neeraj received a compassionate appointment in his place.
Police alleged that Ayushi wanted the government job for herself and began planning her mother’s murder.
“Ayushi blamed her mother for ruining her future by not letting her get the govt job,” a police officer said.
Investigators alleged that Ayushi, Mohan Swaroop and Balram explored multiple methods of killing Neeraj before deciding to disguise the murder as a hit-and-run incident.
Police said an initial attempt using a rented SUV was unsuccessful. Balram then allegedly arranged another vehicle, and the three conspirators kept Neeraj under surveillance for nearly a month before executing the plan.
According to investigators, Neeraj had become increasingly concerned about her daughter’s behaviour before her death.
“Neeraj learnt about her daughter’s violent tendencies. She confided in her brother Rakesh Kumar Sharma, a resident of Bayana in Bharatpur, that Ayushi was going down a very dangerous path,” another police official involved in the investigation said.
Police alleged that the conspirators hired Hemant Sharma, a resident of Bayana, for Rs 7 lakh to carry out the killing. Investigators said Hemant subsequently recruited four associates to assist in the operation.
CCTV captured July 3 crash
Police said that on July 3, at around 4.45 pm, Neeraj Sharma was returning home after dropping her differently-abled son at coaching classes when the speeding SUV, allegedly driven by one of Hemant’s associates, struck her.
According to investigators, the force of the impact threw Neeraj nearly 100 feet, killing her instantly.
Police released CCTV footage on Tuesday that reportedly showed the moment the SUV hit Neeraj before speeding away from the scene.
Victim’s brother’s complaint led to probe
The investigation gathered momentum after Neeraj’s brother, Rakesh Kumar Sharma, filed a complaint alleging that his sister had been murdered.
According to police, Rakesh told investigators that Neeraj had repeatedly informed him she was being harassed by her daughter, her mother-in-law and her nephew Balram over her property.
Police said the investigation is continuing, while efforts are underway to trace the absconding accused.
