A man has been arrested in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district for murdering his live-in partner after a dispute over suspicion about her character. The woman was found dead near a bridge in Khotila area of Dharchula on Friday, November 6, 2026.
The accused (35-year-old Devaraj Nabiyal) was arrested by police on Friday night. The case came to light after the woman’s body was found with serious injuries.
Woman Found Dead Near Khotila Bridge
The deceased was identified as 35 year old Meena Lohar (in some reports Meenu). She hailed from Sunsera in Nepal’s Darchula district.
Police were informed about a woman’s body lying near bridge leading to Khotila at 6:39 am on Friday. Police team reached the spot and started investigation.
The woman was said to have suffered serious head injuries and other parts of her body. Her body was later sent to Pithoragarh for postmortem examination.
Woman Had Been Living With Accused for Three Years
Meena had been living separately from her husband for three years now. She was reportedly staying with Devaraj Nabiyal resident of Khotila during this period.
Her former husband and three children were living in Bagicha of Dharchula.
Police searched the accused’s house during the investigation and allegedly found bloodstains on floor and bed. Investigators also took pieces of fabric stained with blood, pillow and parts of bedding as evidence.
Suspicion Reportedly Led to Argument
The accused allegedly suspected the woman and an argument broke out between them on Thursday night, said investigating officer Senior Sub-Inspector Ambi Ram Arya.
The police investigation said the argument turned into a physical assault and the accused attacked woman with wooden stick injuring her seriously.
She was said to have run out of the house and towards the bridge but died about 600 metres away from it.
The police later found the wooden stick that was used in the attack.
Accused Arrested, Investigation Continues
The son of the woman complained against Devaraj under Section 103(1) of BNS. Police registered a murder case against him (Devaraj).
Police nabbed the accused on Friday night near Kali River behind SSB camp in the area. The arrest report said that they also recovered bloodstained shirt, shoes and mobile phone from him after identification.
The accused was being produced before a court, police said in an update on Saturday.
Post-mortem will help establish cause of death. Police are still investigating and looking at evidence available.
The incident has made people aware of the serious consequences of violence due to suspicion and relationship problems. The guilt of the accused will be known through the judicial process in the end.
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