In a shocking crime that has stunned Andhra Pradesh, a 45-year-old onion trader was allegedly murdered by his wife with the help of her lover by administering sleeping pills and suffocating him at their residence in Guntur district.
The deceased, Shiva Nagaraju, a native of Siluvur village in Guntur district, was married to Lakshmi Madhuri, 37, in 2017. The couple had two sons. Nagaraju was engaged in the onion trade, while Lakshmi Madhuri had earlier worked as a ticket seller at a cinema theatre in Vijayawada.
During her employment, Lakshmi Madhuri allegedly developed an illicit relationship with Gopi, 35, a native of Sattenapalli, who worked as a car driver in Hyderabad. Police said she considered her husband’s onion business degrading and forced him to abandon it. Nagaraju was later sent to Hyderabad to work as a driver.
However, Nagaraju returned to his village after a few months, unhappy with the job. Police said this led to frequent quarrels between the couple, as his presence became an obstacle to Lakshmi Madhuri’s relationship with Gopi. Investigators said she then decided to eliminate her husband.
On the night of the incident, Lakshmi Madhuri allegedly mixed 20 sleeping pills in biryani and served it to Nagaraju. After he fell unconscious, she called Gopi to the house late at night. Police said Gopi restrained Nagaraju while Lakshmi Madhuri suffocated him with a pillow, leading to his death.
The next morning, she informed relatives and neighbours that Nagaraju had died of a heart attack. However, suspicions arose after blood was noticed from the deceased’s ear and injuries were found on his chest. Nagaraju’s father lodged a police complaint.
Post-mortem examination confirmed death due to suffocation. During investigation, police examined Lakshmi Madhuri’s mobile phone and found evidence linking her and Gopi to the crime. Both were arrested and remanded to judicial custody.
The brutal murder has created widespread shock in Guntur district.
