Indore man kills wife, then hangs himself on Diwali; son tells police of 18-hour recording

The bodies of a husband and wife were found in a house in Sai Vihar Colony in Indore's Rau area on Sunday, the day of Diwali. According to police, Pawan Soni (40) killed his wife Varsha (35) and then hanged himself.

In his statement to police, the couple's 15-year-old minor son said his father Pawan had made an 18-hour recording of a conversation between his mother Varsha and one Faizan alias Rehan. According to the son, several things had come to light after this recording. At the time of the incident, Pawan had sent his 15-year-old son and seven-year-old daughter to a nearby park to play.

When the two children returned home at around 4 pm, their mother's body was lying in the room and their father was found hanging. Police were then informed. Pawan was originally from Rewa and lived in a rented house, where he ran a paratha stall.

Police said Pawan and Varsha had a love marriage about 18 years ago. After the wedding, the two lived in Shirdi. About 15 years ago they moved to Indore, where both worked and raised a family.

According to police, discord began between the two about a year ago, after Pawan lost his job. The son said his father had back trouble and could not work. About seven months ago, the couple opened the paratha stall. Faizan alias Rehan came to the stall to put up a shed, and from then on began meeting Varsha.

About five months ago, Pawan saw Varsha talking to Faizan alias Rehan. Pawan tried to reason with her, but she began threatening to leave home. Varsha said she would live as she pleased and no one could stop her.

To find out the truth, Pawan bought a voice recorder. Before going to his village, he placed the recorder in the room together with his son. On returning, he heard Varsha on the recording speaking to Faizan about selling her daughter. The recording also contained talk of killing her husband and the son as well. Pawan was frightened on hearing this. He contacted Hindu activists, but he carried out the killing before Faizan could be caught.

The son told police his father had kept the recorder with himself and had told him not to tell anyone about what was on the recording. For this reason he had not told anyone anything. The son also said the recorder is in the house.

The bodies of Pawan and Varsha were sent for post-mortem at the district hospital. A chain was wrapped around Varsha's neck and a knife was lodged in her body. Police said all the facts are being examined. No case has been registered against the accused so far. A case will be registered after statements from family members are taken.