Nagpur: An extramarital affair allegedly led to the murder of a 35-year-old married woman by her longtime associate, who staged her death as accidental electrocution before fleeing to Jalgaon. The MIDC police cracked the case within hours and arrested the accused.

The accused, Javed Sheikh Sahid Manniyar (35), an air-conditioner mechanic from Shiv Colony in Raver taluka of Jalgaon district, allegedly killed Kavita Pimpalshende (35) at her residence in Matoshree Nagar, Wanadongri, on October 12.

According to police, Kavita’s husband initially reported that she had suffered an electric shock while heating water with a heater in the kitchen. She was rushed to AIIMS Nagpur, where doctors declared her dead. The police initially registered an accidental death case.

However, the post-mortem report revealed fatal head injuries, raising suspicion of murder. Investigators examined Kavita’s call records and found that she had been in regular contact with the accused. His location was traced to Jalgaon, where he was arrested with the help of local police.

During interrogation, the accused reportedly told police that he and Kavita had fallen in love during college but married other people after their relationship faced opposition because of their different religions. Despite their marriages, they allegedly continued their relationship.

Police said the accused had been staying at Kavita’s house for two days when an argument broke out on Monday morning after she insisted that he marry her. He allegedly struck her on the head with a household pestle and then staged the scene to make it appear that she had died of electrocution.

He was remanded to police custody until October 17. Further investigation is underway.