Madhya Pradesh: A man in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh, has been arrested for allegedly murdering his live-in partner and storing her body in a refrigerator for nearly a year. The crime came to light when neighbours reported a foul smell emanating from the house, prompting police to investigate.
The deceased, identified as Pratibha, was found wrapped in a saree with a noose around her neck inside the refrigerator. The accused, Sanjay Patidar, had rented the house in June 2023 and vacated it in 2024, leaving some belongings behind, including the refrigerator.
According to Dewas Superintendent of Police Puneet Gehlot, Patidar occasionally visited the property even after vacating it. The house owner, Dhirendra Shrivastava, stated that Patidar had assured him he would clear the remaining rooms later.
The crime was discovered after a power outage caused the refrigerator to stop functioning, releasing a foul odour that alarmed neighbours. Police arrested Patidar in Ujjain and launched an investigation.
Reports revealed that Patidar had been in a relationship with Pratibha for five years and had introduced her as his wife after moving to Dewas.
Their relationship soured when Pratibha began urging him to formalise their union, leading to frequent arguments. Patidar confessed to killing her to avoid commitment.
