Ghaziabad Murder Plot Unraveled by Surveillance and Quick-Thinking Neighbors

GHAZIABAD — A chilling conspiracy in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad has come to light after local surveillance footage and alert neighbors thwarted an alleged murder plot orchestrated by a man's wife and her gym trainer.

The victim, Shashank Kantharia, sustained at least twelve stab wounds during the early morning attack on October 26 at his residence in Vasundhara Sector-1. Kantharia survived the assault and is currently receiving medical treatment at a local hospital.

Police have arrested the victim's wife, Priya Sharma, and her gym trainer, Pratap Singh, charging them with attempted murder and criminal conspiracy.

The Sequence of Events

According to investigative findings and recovered surveillance footage, the sequence of events unfolded rapidly in the early hours of October 26. At approximately 5:17 AM, Priya Sharma was captured driving out of the Jagriti Resident Welfare Association Society.

Just minutes later, at around 5:20 AM, Pratap Singh was seen entering the residential complex and heading directly toward the couple's apartment. Investigators revealed that Priya had allegedly left the main entrance unlocked and facilitated his entry, bypassing the society's strict visitor approval protocols.

Once inside, Singh allegedly attacked Kantharia while he was asleep. However, the victim's screams, compounded by the crying of the couple's three-year-old child, alerted watchful neighbors.

At roughly 5:23 AM, Singh fled the apartment carrying two knives. Neighbors walking in the area grew suspicious upon seeing the fleeing suspect. Despite Singh's attempts to dismiss their concerns by claiming nothing was amiss, residents—assisted by local security guards and passing motorists—pursued and successfully detained him at the society's main gate.

Uncovering the Illicit Relationship

Kantharia, originally from Jhansi, had been married to Priya for approximately four years in what was her second marriage. Both held government positions, and relatives initially reported no known domestic disputes.

The dynamic shifted when Priya began visiting 'Fitness Headquarters', a local gym operated by Singh, roughly seven to eight months prior to the incident. Police stated that the two grew close, subsequently maintaining contact through encrypted messaging applications.

Interrogations revealed that the suspects allegedly planned to marry. Authorities disclosed that Kantharia had recently discovered the affair and was actively making arrangements to relocate following the Diwali holiday in November. Prompted by this discovery, Sharma and Singh allegedly met during a morning jog on October 25 to finalize the logistics of the attack.

Police further alleged that Priya frequently feigned illness to stay home from work, granting Singh unauthorized access to the residence after Kantharia departed for his office.

The local police station has registered a formal case against both accused individuals as the investigation continues.