INDORE: The family of Pratibha Prajapat alias Pinky, who was allegedly murdered by her live-in partner and stuffed into a fridge for over nine months, has refused to accept her body.
Durgashankar Prajapat, a community member, arrived in Dewas from Ujjain to accept her body and take it for the last rites even as police produced the accused, Sanjay Patidar, in court. He was remanded in police custody for two days for questioning.
Police were told that Pratibha’s family severed ties with her after she eloped and moved in with Patidar at a rented house in Dewas that became her tomb for months.
Durgashankar said her parents were not ready to accept the body, and as a community representative, he would carry out the final rites. Prajapat spoke with police officials and gave the parents’ version of the story.
Police take accused on 2-day remand
Pratibha ran away from her house seven years ago. Her parents tried to find her but gave up after a few years, said Prajapat after carrying out the last rites in Dewas. He has since returned to Ujjain.
Residents of Vrindavan Dham are in shock after learning of the grisly murder. They remember Pratibha as a very jovial and social person, who suddenly went missing on March 1. Whenever questioned about Pratibha’s absence, Sanjay would tell neighbours that she had gone to her maternal home as her father was unwell. Neighbours say Pratibha would regularly visit a Khatu Shyam temple on Ekadashi.
Pratibha was allegedly strangled by Sanjay and an accomplice in March 2024. Her body, stuffed into a refrigerator, was found by another tenant on Friday morning when he broke open the lock of the doors rented by Patidar earlier.
Dewas police produced Sanjay in court and took him on remand for two days.
