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| Desperation turns deadly: Prayagraj police expose murder plot by domestic help and his family. |
Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh – March 31, 2025In a chilling incident that has shocked Prayagraj, an Air Force engineer was murdered in cold blood by a domestic help and his family, who sought to arrange funds for their elder son’s bail by hiring a costly lawyer. The crime, initially appearing to be a robbery gone wrong, was in fact a premeditated act involving meticulous planning, CCTV tampering, and an inside knowledge of the victim’s home.
The Prayagraj Police, with the assistance of the Special Operations Group (SOG), successfully cracked the case within days, arresting the primary accused Shiv Kumar, his wife Sunita Devi, and their son Saurabh—all residents of the city and part of a lower-income household working in domestic roles.
The Motive: Money for Bail and Expensive Legal Representation
According to senior police officials, the motive behind the murder was distressingly clear—money. Shiv Kumar and Sunita’s elder son, Honey, is currently lodged in jail on serious charges. Determined to secure his release, the family believed that only a top-tier, expensive lawyer could help win the bail plea. Lacking financial means, they devised a plan that led to the murder of engineer S.N. Mishra, a respected officer residing in the Air Force Colony of Prayagraj.
Both Shiv Kumar and his wife were employed as domestic workers in the same colony, giving them intimate knowledge of the layout, residents' schedules, and most critically, the placement of CCTV cameras. This insider access enabled them to plot the crime with disturbing precision.
The Crime: Planned Robbery Turns Into Cold-Blooded Murder
The original plan was to rob the house of engineer S.N. Mishra while the family was asleep. Over a period of ten days, the trio attempted to execute their plan on multiple occasions, but each time, someone in the house would wake up, forcing them to abort their mission.
Finally, just two days before the crime came to light, they decided to act again. This time, their younger son Saurabh took charge of the operation. Late at night, he climbed a tree adjacent to the colony’s wall and entered the premises stealthily. He tried to drill a hole in the main door to unlock it from inside, but as fate would have it, Mishra’s wife woke up and began screaming.
Panicked and fearing exposure, Saurabh pulled out a country-made pistol (tamanchaa) and fired a shot through the window, hitting S.N. Mishra fatally. He then fled the scene using the same route.
Technical Knowledge of CCTV Helped in Execution
Prior to the murder, Saurabh disconnected a CCTV camera wire outside Mishra’s home, knowing exactly where it was located. This indicates that the crime was not only pre-planned but also carried out with a high level of technical awareness, rare for individuals from their background. This further confirmed to the police that the perpetrators had inside access and knowledge.
DCP City Abhishek and his team had deployed both local police and the SOG to fast-track the investigation. A close analysis of call detail records (CDRs) before and after the incident helped trace inconsistencies and suspicious activity. This, combined with interrogations of local suspects and witnesses, narrowed down suspicion to Shiv Kumar and his wife.
Once detained and questioned, both eventually confessed to their involvement, unraveling the entire plot. Their son Saurabh, the shooter, was also arrested shortly afterward.
Reactions from the Community
Residents of the Air Force Colony are left stunned. “We never thought someone who worked in our homes could be capable of such a heinous act. They knew our families, our routines—this is deeply disturbing,” said one resident, requesting anonymity.
This incident has raised urgent questions about the background checks and security protocols involving domestic workers in high-security zones such as Air Force colonies. The Prayagraj police have advised all residents to reverify the identification documents of their household staff and limit sensitive access within their homes.
Police Statement and Legal Proceedings
Speaking to the media, DCP Abhishek stated, “This was a complex case involving emotional motives and deep familiarity with the crime scene. We commend the prompt action taken by the joint police teams and SOG which led to the breakthrough. All three accused are now in custody and will be produced before the court shortly.”
The Prayagraj police are expected to file a charge sheet soon under sections of murder, conspiracy, attempted burglary, and arms possession under the Indian Penal Code and Arms Act. If convicted, the accused face life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
Socio-Economic Angle: Poverty and Desperation
Experts and social workers believe this incident also underlines a larger social crisis—the desperation of economically weaker families caught in the legal system. “It’s tragic that poverty, lack of legal aid, and the absence of hope led them to believe that murder was the only solution. This speaks volumes about the cracks in our legal aid system and the mental health crisis among the underprivileged,” said activist Renu Sharma.
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