Inspired by 'Drishyam', Gujarat woman fakes own death to be with lover; arrested

Ahmedabad: A day after the half-burnt body of a man was found under mysterious circumstances, the Patan district police on Wednesday said that he was murdered as part of a conspiracy hatched by a woman and her lover to fake her death so that no one looks for her. The murder plot, police said, was inspired from the movie "Drishyam".

The police arrested Gita Ahir (22) and her lover Bharat Ahir (21) on Wednesday from Palanpur railway station on suspicion of murdering Harjibhai Solanki, 56, who was originally a resident of Vauva village in Santalpur taluka of Patan district.

His half-burnt body was found from Jakhotra village in Santalpur taluka on Tuesday night. He was found wearing a skirt and a pair of anklets. The matter was highlighted after Congress MLA from Vadgam Jignesh Mevani posted about the incident on social media. Solanki belonged to dalit community.

Patan Superintendent of Police VK Nayi told reporters that investigation found Gita and her lover Bharat conspired to fake her death. Their idea was inspired from the movie Drishyam. Gita is already married and was having an affair with her neighbour Bharat. They wanted to elope.

Nayi said that faking death was Gita's idea who allegedly convinced her lover to arrange a dead body so that no one will look for her once she flees with him. As per the plan, Bharat identified Solanki as their target and on May 26, offered him a lift on his motorcycle. Bharat stopped his vehicle at a secluded place and allegedly strangulated Solanki. He brought the body near a pond close to Gita's house.

On May 27 night, Gita fled her house when her family members were asleep. The lovers reached the pond and put Gita's skirts and anklets on Solanki's body. They poured petrol on his body and set it on fire so that no one would recognise him.

Later, Gita's husband and in-laws found the body near the bond. Initially, police said that the family members thought it was Gita's body. Once the body was brought home, they realised it was a man's body.

The police started looking for Gita and dispatched teams to the railway station in Palanpur after learning that she may have left with her lover. The couple allegedly admitted to have committed the crime. Gita told the police that she had watched "Drishyam" and "Drishyam 2" which gave her the idea to fake her death so that she can be with Bharat.