A 50-year-old man has been arrested in Ludhiana, in India’s Punjab state, over the alleged stabbing death of his wife. The couple had recently been in Australia, where their younger son lives.
The victim, Kamaldeep Kaur, 49, was found with multiple stab wounds at the family home in Vikas Nagar, off Pakhowal Road, on Saturday evening. Police say her husband, Ravinder Singh, a pick-up van driver, is the accused. A murder case has been registered at Dugri police station, and Mr Singh remains in custody while questioning continues.
The charges are allegations and have not been tested in court.
According to police, the couple’s elder son was asked by his father to go to a local market. When he returned, he found his mother critically injured. She was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared her dead.
Police allege the accused used a kitchen knife, then washed it and put it back in an attempt to destroy evidence. The knife has been seized.
Station House Officer Gurmukh Singh said early findings point to suspicion about the wife’s character as the motive, and that the attack appeared to be planned. Investigators are also looking into whether it was planned before he returned to India.
It is the accused’s alleged suspicion that police are examining. No evidence has been reported that Ms Kaur did anything wrong. The elder son has told reporters that his parents argued frequently over his father’s suspicion of an affair.
The Australia connection
Police say the couple had gone to Australia, where their younger son lives. Ms Kaur returned to Ludhiana about four months ago, and Mr Singh came back on 29 October.
Early reports said both had returned only days before the killing. A later report citing police corrected this, saying Ms Kaur had been back for about four months. Details of the couple’s time in Australia have not been released.
A neighbour’s alarm
A neighbour told reporters she noticed the house gate wide open and called out, then heard the son screaming that his mother had been killed.
Police are continuing to examine the circumstances and the dispute between the couple.
Need help? If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence in Australia, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732. In an emergency, call 000.
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