Himachal woman survives throat-slitting, gorge push; husband and two others arrested
A 26-year-old woman in Himachal Pradesh's Solan district survived a brutal attack on Friday night after her husband, his brother, and a friend allegedly slit her throat and pushed her into a 100-metre deep gorge. The victim, identified as Monica Devi, managed to climb back to safety by holding onto bushes and sought help from locals.
The incident occurred around 8:30 pm at a secluded spot on Old Barog Road near Dehunghat, about 1 km from Solan town. Locals informed the police and took Monica to the Civil Hospital in Solan. She was later referred to Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla, where her condition is reported to be stable.
Based on her statement, police arrested the accused: her husband Dalip Kumar (28), his brother Shivam (20), both residents of Bahraich district, and their friend Madan Kumar (28) of Gonda, all in Uttar Pradesh. They were taken into custody within about half an hour after an eyewitness provided information.
Police said Dalip allegedly conspired to kill Monica following a long-standing marital dispute. He lured her from Uttar Pradesh to Solan on the pretext of a sightseeing trip. At the isolated spot, the trio attacked her with a knife, slit her throat, and pushed her into the gorge, believing she had died.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Solan, Raj Kumar, said, “The crime took place in the backdrop of a matrimonial dispute. The victim along with suspects had arrived in Solan from UP yesterday evening. Preliminary investigation suggests that Monica and Dalip married in 2023, developed differences, separated, and were recently reunited. The suspects are being interrogated to ascertain the exact motive. They are laborers.”
A police officer on the investigation team said the couple's relationship deteriorated within months of their marriage. During questioning, Dalip allegedly claimed that Monica had eloped with another man and returned after two years, leading to suspicion.
Eyewitness Naresh Kumar, a resident of Barog, told police that between 8:15 pm and 8:30 pm, he saw three men and a woman near Dehunghat. Suspicious, he returned to find the trio pushing the woman into the gorge and fleeing. He noticed blood stains near the roadside parapet.
A caller informed the Saproon Police Post, and teams from the police post and Sadar Solan Police Station launched a rescue operation. The accused, who attempted to flee to Uttar Pradesh, were arrested within 30 minutes.
A case has been registered at Sadar Solan Police Station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police have collected scientific and physical evidence from the crime scene and are investigating the criminal antecedents of the accused.
