Gujarat: Woman Holds Student as Husband Strangles Him Over Bathing Video Blackmail
Police in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar district have arrested a married couple for the murder of a 20-year-old college student who had allegedly been blackmailing the woman with a hidden camera video.
A 20-year-old college student was allegedly murdered by a couple in Gujarat's Gandhinagar district after he was accused of blackmailing a married woman with a secretly recorded bathing video and coercing her into a s*xual relationship, according to police. The husband and wife have been arrested, and investigators say the killing was planned in advance after months of alleged exploitation, as reported by India Today. The incident took place in Kalol taluka of Gandhinagar district. Police said the victim, identified as Hardik, lived close to the accused couple.
According to investigators, the woman called the student to her home on July 11 while her three children were away at school. Police alleged that the husband pretended to leave for work but returned secretly before the student arrived. Once inside the house, the student was allegedly overpowered by the couple. The husband is accused of strangling him first with a scarf and then with an electrical cable, while the wife allegedly restrained his hands. Gujarat: Parents Allegedly Forced Son To Drink Acid, Strangled Him Before Staging Suicide; Wife Exposes Plot.
Alleged Blackmail Led to the Killing
Police said preliminary investigations indicate that the student had secretly recorded the woman while she was bathing around two months ago. Investigators allege he used the video to blackmail her into maintaining a s*xual relationship, with the woman allegedly complying out of fear of social stigma.
The alleged abuse reportedly continued until the woman's husband discovered her speaking to the student on the phone. During a confrontation, she informed him about the alleged blackmail, following which the couple allegedly decided to kill the student. These allegations are part of the police investigation and remain subject to judicial scrutiny. Gujarat: Man Stabs Mother's Live-in Partner to Death in Jetpur; Disturbing CCTV Video Surfaces.
Body Allegedly Hidden, Couple Tried to Flee
After the alleged murder, police said the couple placed the student's body inside a sack, locked the house and left the area. They allegedly collected their children from school, dropped them at a relative's residence and attempted to flee.
Investigators said CCTV footage, forensic evidence and technical surveillance helped trace the accused, who were later arrested. The student's father subsequently filed a complaint, and a post-mortem examination reportedly confirmed death due to strangulation.
Investigation Continues
Police said the victim's mobile phone was allegedly damaged and discarded after the crime. Efforts are underway to recover the device, as investigators believe it may contain evidence relevant to the alleged blackmail. The accused remain in police custody as investigators continue gathering forensic and digital evidence. Authorities are also working to establish the complete sequence of events and verify all claims made during the investigation.
Women and Child Helpline Numbers:
Childline India – 1098; Missing Child and Women – 1094; Women’s Helpline – 181; National Commission for Women Helpline – 112; National Commission for Women Helpline Against Violence – 7827170170; Police Women and Senior Citizen Helpline – 1091/1291.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 15, 2026 07:45 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
