‘Ascetic’ hacks estranged wife to death in Delhi after she refused to accompany him to Bihar

The police have circulated lookout posters across the capital to help nab the accused, Pramod Jha, who came to Delhi on August 1.

Ever since his wife left him, Pramod had been living the life of a ‘sadhu’ in his Jamalpur village in Bihar and met his expenses through small donations he received as a baba, the police said.

“On Tuesday night, Pramod tried to convince Kiran to come back to Bihar. But, she refused, saying that she was happy in Delhi working as a caretaker for patients and being with her granddaughter. This led to an argument between the two. Around 4 am, Kiran’s daughter-in-law found her lying in a pool of blood with injuries on her head and body,” a police officer said.

The police have found the axe used for the murder in the room beside the body.

“CCTV footage showed Pramod leaving the building at about 5 am. Teams have been dispatched to railway and bus stations to nab the accused,” Ankit Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), South, said.

Forensic and crime teams have reached the spot, and an investigation is on.

The couple’s son Durgesh Jha works in a micro-finance firm in Patna. He has been summoned, the police said.