Police in Moradabad have cracked a murder conspiracy involving a woman, Swati, and her lover, Manoj, who attempted to frame her family in a brutal killing. The couple reportedly hatched the plot after facing opposition from Swati’s father and brothers to their relationship. According to investigators, Swati initially tried to incapacitate her family by adding sleeping pills to their food, enabling secret meetings with Manoj.
When suspicions arose within the family, the duo escalated their plan to murder. On September 17–18, they lured a painter named Yogesh from a nearby village with spiked alcohol and then fatally attacked him with a brick near a graveyard. Following the murder, they used Yogesh’s phone to call emergency services (112), falsely accusing Swati’s father and brothers of the crime, hoping the call would serve as a “dying declaration.”
Investigators quickly noticed inconsistencies, as the voice on the call did not match Yogesh’s. Electronic records and digital forensics played a key role in unraveling the plot, revealing the couple’s manipulation and premeditated intent. Police also identified an accomplice, Manjeet, who was later arrested in an encounter.
Senior Superintendent of Police Satpal Antil highlighted that the investigation heavily relied on electronic evidence. The team responsible for solving the case has been rewarded ₹25,000 for their swift and meticulous work. Legal proceedings against Swati, Manoj, and their accomplice are currently ongoing, with authorities emphasizing the seriousness of the conspiracy and the premeditation involved.
