A newly married woman in India has been arrested for allegedly orchestrating the murder of her husband, staging the crime as a hit-and-run, police say. The incident occurred in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, on January 30th, just three months after the couple’s wedding.
Ashish Satav, 27, died after being attacked during an evening walk with his wife, Anjali, 23. According to statements given to police by Ashish’s cousin, Ankit, the couple had been accompanied by Ankit and his wife, but Anjali insisted they walk along a more secluded route after dropping them off.
Following the attack, Anjali Satav initially told authorities that she and her husband had been the victims of a hit-and-run, and claimed her gold jewelry had been stolen. Although, investigators quickly became suspicious, noting inconsistencies between her account and the nature of Ashish’s injuries. A post-mortem examination confirmed that Ashish died from strangulation.
Police allege that Anjali had been in a seven-year relationship with a man named Sanju, a wedding waiter, even before her marriage to Ashish. The two reportedly met while attending the same college. Investigators believe Anjali’s family was aware of the affair and arranged her marriage to Ashish, who resided approximately 225 kilometers away in a different village.
Phone records reportedly revealed frequent communication between Anjali and Sanju, corroborating the long-term affair and indicating collaboration in the planning of Ashish’s murder. According to police, Anjali had attempted to relocate to Sri Ganganagar to be closer to Sanju, but Ashish opposed the move.
Authorities have arrested Sanju and three of his associates – identified as Rocky, Badal, and Siddharth – in connection with the murder. Anjali Satav is also in custody. The arrests followed an investigation that uncovered evidence suggesting the group ambushed Ashish, striking him with sticks before strangling him with a muffler.
The families of both Ashish and Anjali have been deeply affected by the tragedy. Relatives of Ashish Satav expressed shock and anger at what they described as a betrayal. Investigations are ongoing.
Dr. Ashish and Dr. Kavita Satav were recently recognized as NDTV’s Health Leader of the Year 2025, highlighting their contributions to the medical field. The couple’s journey was profiled by NDTV prior to this incident.
