In the peaceful village of Kurji, Madhya Pradesh, life usually followed a predictable rhythm. The quiet streets and serene surroundings offered a stark contrast to the shocking events that unfolded in May 2021. This is the story of Sonu Patel, a 26-year-old whose life was tragically cut short, revealing a dark undercurrent of love, jealousy, and murder.
Sonu Patel had always been a well-liked young man. Known for his kindness and dedication, he was a pillar of support for his family. On May 12, 2021, Sonu’s life took a hopeful turn as he married Gayathri Patel, a 22-year-old from Jabalpur. The wedding was a grand affair, celebrated with joy and anticipation by both families. The couple appeared perfect for each other, and the ceremony was filled with wishes for a long and happy life together.
The first night of marriage was a moment of bliss for Sonu and Gayathri. They were excited about their future together, eagerly looking forward to building a life as husband and wife. The following morning, however, began with a small mishap that would set off a chain of events leading to a tragic end.
On May 13, Gayathri accidentally broke her phone’s display. Frustrated by the incident, she hoped Sonu would get it repaired. Sonu, however, was busy with work and promised her he would take care of it the next day. After breakfast, he left for his job, leaving Gayathri alone with her broken phone. Despite her disappointment, she waited patiently for the next day, trusting Sonu would keep his word.
As the sun rose on May 14, Gayathri eagerly reminded Sonu to get the phone fixed. Sonu agreed, though he was visibly irritated, taking Gayathri’s repeated requests as a sign of her obsession with the phone. He assured her he would handle it within a few hours and left on his father’s bike at exactly 10 AM.
By noon, Sonu had not returned. Gayathri grew anxious, assuming he might be caught up with work. The hours ticked by, and by 4 PM, there was still no sign of him. Gayathri, now deeply worried, began calling Sonu’s phone, but it remained switched off. She tried repeatedly, making 20 to 30 calls, but there was no response. As evening turned to night, Gayathri’s fear escalated, and she began crying, desperate for any news of her husband.
Sonu’s brother, concerned by the growing unease, decided to take action. He searched the neighborhood and reached out to their relatives, but Sonu was nowhere to be found. Realizing the situation was serious, he lodged a missing person’s report with the police around 10 PM. The initial response from the authorities was lukewarm; they assumed Sonu would return late at night or the following morning and only filed a report.
The following day, May 15, there was still no trace of Sonu. His family continued their search, but the hours dragged on with no sign of him. The urgency of the situation grew more apparent. By May 16, Sonu’s brother returned to the police station, emphasizing the seriousness of the case. This time, the police took action, starting a more thorough investigation.
The police began by questioning Sonu’s family, including Gayathri. During the interrogation, Gayathri’s nervousness raised suspicion. The officers learned about a confrontation that had occurred the night before Sonu’s disappearance. Gayathri mentioned a woman named Madhu, who was Sonu’s former girlfriend. The police began to focus on Madhu, intrigued by this new lead.
Madhu was brought in for questioning. She admitted to having been in a relationship with Sonu but claimed they had separated before his marriage. The police discovered that Sonu had been threatening Madhu with intimate videos they had shared, using them as leverage to force her to meet him. This revelation painted a disturbing picture of Sonu’s behavior and provided a motive for Madhu’s possible involvement.
On May 24, ten days after Sonu’s disappearance, a significant breakthrough occurred. Police discovered a damaged bike in Har Ghar Forest. The bike was identified as Sonu’s. Nearby, they found a severely mutilated body. Sonu’s brother was called to identify the body, which was beyond recognition due to the severe injuries. He reluctantly identified the clothes found with the body as belonging to Sonu. The body was sent for a post-mortem examination, revealing gruesome details about Sonu’s death.
The autopsy showed that Sonu had been brutally murdered. His legs and hands were bound with rope, and he had been strangled. His face was crushed beyond recognition. The police realized that this was no ordinary missing person case; it was a violent crime that required immediate attention.
The investigation revealed that Sonu’s phone had been off since he went missing, and calls to his number were not answered. The police tracked call records and found that Sonu had called Madhu multiple times before his death. This led them to question Madhu again. During this interrogation, Madhu appeared fidgety and evasive. The police pressed her for answers, and eventually, she confessed to her involvement in Sonu’s murder.
Madhu explained that Sonu’s relentless harassment and threats had pushed her to a breaking point. On May 14, she had invited Sonu to meet her in the forest. With the help of her uncle’s daughter, Madhu lured Sonu to the secluded area. Once there, she bound his hands and legs and blindfolded him. Madhu then attacked Sonu with a stone, smashing his head and ultimately killing him. After the murder, she disposed of Sonu’s belongings and set his bike down a hill to make it appear as if he had disappeared.
Madhu’s confession was shocking. The extreme measures she took were driven by Sonu’s threats and her desperate situation. Along with her accomplice, she was charged with murder under IPC 302. The case drew attention for its brutality and the complex emotions behind the crime.
The story of Sonu Patel serves as a somber reminder of how unresolved personal conflicts and threats can escalate into violence. The peaceful village of Kurji was left to grapple with the aftermath of this horrific event, reflecting on the tragic consequences of jealousy, betrayal, and violence.
As the investigation concluded, the community was left to mourn Sonu Patel and come to terms with the dark events that had unfolded. The case highlighted the need for addressing conflicts before they spiral out of control and seeking help when facing personal challenges.
