UP man blackmails ex-lover with private videos; She strangles him, burns face with acid

A man in Uttar Pradesh’s Ballia district was allegedly murdered by a married woman with whom he was in a relationship after he began blackmailing her with private videos when she tried to end the affair. Police said the woman, along with her brother and sister-in-law, strangled the man to death and disfigured his face with acid in an attempt to conceal his identity. Three accused have been arrested, while two others are absconding.

The crime surfaced on February 10 after the body of an unidentified young man was found with his face severely mutilated. During the investigation, police identified the victim as Pankaj Gupta, a resident of Azamgarh, and uncovered details of the alleged relationship and subsequent blackmail.

According to investigators, Gupta allegedly began harassing the woman and threatening her with obscene videos after she sought to end the relationship. Unable to cope with the alleged threats, she reportedly confided in her brother and sister-in-law. Police said the trio, along with others, then conspired to eliminate him.

On February 7, Gupta was allegedly lured to the woman’s village on a pretext. Police said he was strangled to death and his face burned with acid to prevent identification before the body was dumped.

Ballia Superintendent of Police Om Veer Singh said the victim had been harassing the woman and that family members called him and murdered him. The three arrested accused have been sent to judicial custody, and raids are underway to apprehend the remaining suspects.