22 May,2026 11:26 AM IST | Palghar | mid-day online correspondent
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A man and his wife have been arrested for allegedly murdering a 33-year-old man in Maharashtra's Palghar district over an alleged extramarital relationship involving the woman, police said on Friday, reported PTI.
The accused allegedly lured the victim to a secluded area near Kurje dam before attacking and killing him with a sharp weapon, officials said.
According to police, the deceased has been identified as Ataneshbhai Rajan Machhi, a resident of Valsad district in neighbouring Gujarat, reported PTI.
His body was found with severe injuries, following which his father approached the police and lodged a complaint on May 20.
After registering the case, investigators began tracing the movements of the victim and questioning people connected to him.
Acting on specific inputs, police detained the main suspect, identified as Jerry Babu Machhi, a 36-year-old resident of Palgaon Mahadev Faliya in Valsad district, reported PTI.
During the investigation, police allegedly uncovered details pointing to tensions linked to the victim's relationship with the suspect's wife.
"Preliminary investigation showed that the murder was the fallout of a love affair between the deceased and the suspect's 32-year-old wife," Talasari police station inspector Ajay Gorhad said, reported PTI.
Police said the accused couple frequently argued over the woman's alleged relationship with the victim.
According to investigators, the husband had repeatedly warned his wife to end the relationship and allegedly threatened serious consequences if she did not comply.
Officials said the couple eventually decided to eliminate the victim.
Police claimed the accused contacted the victim and called him to an isolated location near Kurje dam in Palghar district, reported PTI.
Investigators said the accused allegedly made the victim consume large amounts of alcohol before carrying out the attack.
"They made him drink heavily, and once he was highly intoxicated, they attacked him with a sharp weapon and killed him," the police official said.
The body was later recovered by police, who launched a detailed probe into the murder.
Police said both the husband and wife have been arrested in connection with the case.
Officials added that further investigation is underway to establish the exact sequence of events and gather additional forensic and circumstantial evidence related to the crime.
(With inputs from PTI)
