The man accused of murdering his wife in Guwahati has allegedly confessed to the crime and told police that he had no remorse for his actions, officials said.
The accused, identified as Ramanuj Goswami, also allegedly told police that if he is released from prison in the future, he would kill a man whom he referred to as his wife’s “sugar daddy”.
Goswami reportedly made the remarks while being taken by police for interrogation. Police said he surrendered after allegedly killing his wife, Riya Talukder Goswami, following a dispute between the couple.
The incident came to light at around 9.45 pm after police received information that the couple, who lived at By-lane No. 4, House No. 14 in Basisthapur, were not responding to repeated calls from their family members.
A team from Hatigaon Police Station reached the residence and found Riya dead, with her head severed from her body, DCP (East) Tabu Ram Pegu said.
Police and forensic teams examined the scene and collected several exhibits. Investigators also recovered a sharp dao, which is suspected to have been used in the murder. Bloodstains were found inside the apartment, while household items appeared to have been scattered.
According to police, Riya’s severed head was recovered from inside a refrigerator after allegedly being wrapped in a black polythene bag. Investigators also found that some of her fingers had been severed.
A forensic examination indicated that Riya had been murdered. The preliminary assessment suggested that the killing had taken place between 24 and 48 hours before her body was recovered. Her body was subsequently sent to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem examination.
Police said the couple had been married for around six months and had been living together in the apartment. Preliminary investigation revealed that they frequently quarrelled over various issues.
Pegu said Goswami had told investigators that he suspected his wife of being involved in an extramarital relationship. Police are examining the alleged relationship as a possible motive behind the murder.
“During one such altercation, the husband allegedly lost his temper and killed his wife,” Pegu said, adding that investigators believe a sharp dao was used in the crime.
Investigators are also looking into whether Goswami was under the influence of drugs at the time of the incident and whether he has any history of drug addiction. Police said these aspects are yet to be verified.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID), along with forensic and fingerprint experts, is continuing the investigation. Teams are examining the evidence collected from the apartment and trying to reconstruct the sequence of events before and after the alleged murder.
Police are also examining reports that Goswami allegedly attempted to feed some of the victim’s body parts to a dog. Pegu said he was unaware of such a claim, adding that the allegation would be verified as part of the investigation.
Goswami, who works as an Uber driver, is originally from Gauripur. The apartment was reportedly constructed on land owned by his father, which was later sold to a builder. Under the agreement, a house was subsequently provided to his father.
Riya, a resident of Noonmati, worked at a boutique in the AC Market area of Fancy Bazar. She had reportedly lost both her parents and had one brother.
The investigation is continuing, with police probing the circumstances of the alleged murder, the couple’s relationship and the events that preceded the crime.
