'Illicit ties with 50-year-old led to murder of Dehradun woman'

DEHRADUN: A relationship with a man several years her senior led to the murder of 23-year-old Samarjahan, alias Rihana, according to police officials who are investigating the sensational killing of a woman who was shot dead by unidentified assailants at the upscale Sahasthradhara Road area of Dehradun late on Tuesday night.
Samarjahan, who was allegedly in a live-in relationship with a Muzaffarnagar-based businessman, sustained multiple gun shots in the attack that took place near a multi-storied residential complex.
The victim, who recently moved to Dehradun and was planning to start a boutique, was living with 50-year-old Muzaffarnagar-based businessman Rakesh Kumar Gupta. The latter’s family, police said, was not happy with their relationship.
Speaking to TOI, Nivedita Kukreti, senior superintendent of police (SSP) Dehradun, said, “We are investigating all possible angles in the case. But prima facie, it appears that the murder is a result of Samarjahan’s relationship. Gupta’s wife was not happy with her husband’s liaison with Samarjahan. We are questioning her, too, in connection with the murder.”
Sources in the police said that Gupta and Samarjahan, who was a divorcee, were in a relationship since the past five years and this had led to tension in the businessman’s family. “Since his family was protesting against his out-of-marriage relationship, Gupta decided to move to Dehradun with Samarjahan. He rented a house for her and used to visit her on a weekly basis,” said a police official.
SP (City), Shweta Choubey added, “Rakesh Kumar Gupta came to Dehradun on Tuesday. Both of them had dinner together. Soon after he left, unidentified persons came and opened fire at Samarjahan. We are checking on his possible involvement in the case.”