A shocking double murder case involving a spurned lover has sent ripples across Bihar’s Motihari. The accused, 20-year-old Shilpi Kumari, allegedly killed her boyfriend’s grandfather by setting him on fire while he was asleep and later murdered a five-year-old girl by slitting her throat in an attempt to frame another woman.
The case surfaced after the disappearance of five-year-old Anshika Kumari from outside her house in Hirapatti village on March 20. Her body was recovered two days later, prompting a police investigation that eventually led to Shilpi’s arrest. As the probe progressed, investigators uncovered details pointing to two separate murders.
According to police, Shilpi had been in a relationship with Nitish Kumar since 2024. After his grandfather opposed the relationship, she allegedly set him on fire while he was sleeping. She is also accused of setting multiple fires in Hirapatti village in an attempt to mislead investigators.
Later, she reportedly lured Anshika to her house, forced her to make statements against her mother, recorded the video on a mobile phone, and then killed the child. The body was later dumped in a field to avoid detection. Police said Shilpi suspected that Anshika’s mother had influenced Nitish against her.
Shilpi is currently in custody as further legal proceedings continue.
Motihari Police said the case was cracked using scientific methods, including internet data analysis and technical evidence such as the video recording of Anshika’s coerced statement. Investigators also recovered two knives, blood-stained clothes, and the mobile phone used in the crime.
Describing the case as “extremely complex”, Motihari SP Swarn Prabhat said the breakthrough was possible due to the use of scientific techniques and confirmed that the team involved in solving the case would be rewarded.
