Autorickshaw driver in UP kills American wife, self

 An autorickshaw driver stabbed to death his American wife in Uttar Pradesh’s Agra town, about 350 km from here, and later committed suicide by setting himself ablaze on Thursday.

The driver identified as Bunty Sharma had married 35-year old Arianne Willinger after a brief love affair in October last. Arianne, a social worker, arrived at Agra with her friends and had fallen for the charms of the town.

Arianne, who hailed from Chester in the United States, was taken around the town by Bunty in his autorickshaw and it was during such trips, including many to the monument of love, they fell for each other. According to the reports, the duo had married on the roof of a hotel in Tajganj locality in the town as the Taj Mahal was clearly visible from there. Differences, mainly owing to the diametrically opposite cultures, soon started cropping up and neighbours said that the couple often fought over many issues. While Bunty accused Arianne of smoking too much and “very open in outlook”, the latter charged that Bunty did not give her much time.

Their marital discord had also reached the family counselling centre. Arianne had told the counselor that Bunty had relations with other women as well. The hubby had alleged that Arianne was already married and that she went out with other men.

The couple had started living separately though they continued to see each other occasionally, police said.

Agra police chief Shalabh Mathur said that Bunty took Arianne for a ride in his auto on Thursday and later stabbed her to death. Arianne’s body bore several stab marks on the face and other parts. He later dumped her body at Thakkar road in the town. He then went home and committed suicide by setting himself ablaze.

The bodies have been sent for post-mortem. The US Embassy had been informed about the incident, police said.