In a case that has rattled the capital, a 36-year-old man’s sudden death in Delhi’s Uttam Nagar was revealed to be a premeditated murder, carefully orchestrated by his wife and her lover—who also happened to be his paternal cousin. What began as an alleged accident turned into a full-fledged criminal investigation after disturbing social media messages emerged between the two accused, outlining the murder plan in shocking detail.

This is the tragic story of Karan Dev, a father, husband, and unsuspecting victim in a crime fueled by betrayal, obsession, and digital footprints.

The Apparent Accident

On the morning of July 13, Sushmita reported that her husband, Karan, had suffered an electric shock while using an appliance in their Uttam Nagar home. She claimed he was unconscious when she found him, and, along with Rahul (Karan’s cousin), rushed him to a local hospital in Janakpuri.

Sushmita emotionally insisted to both the doctors and the police that the electrocution was an accident. Rahul, present throughout, backed her story. Initially, Karan’s father too was convinced of the accidental narrative and reportedly requested police not to pursue a post-mortem.

But the police, suspecting something amiss due to the man’s age and lack of corroborating household hazards, refused to close the case.

Digital Clues Surface

Three days later, Karan’s younger brother, Kunal Dev, grew suspicious. He gained access to Sushmita’s Instagram messages, where he discovered an ongoing affair between her and Rahul—his cousin—and detailed, timestamped conversations about murdering Karan.

These weren’t vague exchanges. The messages mapped out a calculated two-step plan: first, drugging Karan, and then, when that failed, electrocuting him while he was sedated to make the death appear accidental.

The Murder Plan, Step by Step

The plan began with sleeping pills. Sushmita mixed at least 15 sedatives into Karan’s meal on the night of July 12. She updated Rahul through chat:

“Three hours have passed. He ate and is still alive. What do I do now?”

Rahul replied:

“Shock him. Use tape to tie him up and put a wire to his hand.”

Later, Sushmita messaged in distress:

“He’s breathing slowly… I can’t get his mouth open to give more medicine. You come over. Together we can do it.”

This final message, sent around the time of Karan’s death, formed the centerpiece of Delhi Police’s case against the duo.

Aftermath and Arrest

When confronted with the messages, Sushmita initially denied everything. But once shown evidence from her own Instagram, both she and Rahul broke down and confessed.

According to Delhi Police, the motive was twofold: love and resentment. Sushmita and Rahul had reportedly grown close over time, meeting frequently while pretending to be family. Their relationship, according to her confession, became physical, and she claimed Karan had become increasingly abusive—physically and emotionally.

Instead of leaving him or pursuing legal recourse, they plotted to eliminate him.

The Role of Family and Community

Shockingly, when Karan’s death was first reported, even close family members supported the “accident” theory. It was only Kunal’s insistence—and digital sleuthing—that exposed the truth.

This has raised questions in the local community: How often do domestic crimes go uninvestigated because families prefer to avoid the police? What if there had been no autopsy? Would the murder have been buried with Karan?

Police Investigation and Legal Charges

Sushmita and Rahul were both arrested under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (murder). The police recovered key evidence:

• Instagram messages planning the murder
• The sleeping pill packet
• Electric wires and tape used in the killing
• Karan’s post-mortem report, confirming death due to unnatural causes

The investigators are now preparing a chargesheet and working with cybercrime experts to validate the digital evidence trail.

Psychological Perspective: Love, Control, and Obsession

What pushes two people—bound by blood and marriage—to commit such a heinous act?

Psychologists examining the case suggest a toxic mix of co-dependency, power imbalance, and fantasized freedom. Sushmita’s alleged abuse narrative might be true, but rather than seeking help, she and Rahul descended into dark, irreversible territory.

This was not a crime of passion—it was a crime of patience. Weeks of planning. Cold decision-making. Step-by-step execution.

A Cautionary Tale in the Digital Age

The tragedy of Karan Dev’s death reveals just how powerful digital evidence can be. The chats that Sushmita and Rahul likely believed were private turned out to be the linchpin of the case.

In a world where relationships, betrayals, and even murders now unfold online, this case may serve as a landmark example of how law enforcement can leverage social media to uncover the truth.

What’s Next?

• The post-mortem report will help determine the exact cause and timing of death.
• Rahul and Sushmita remain in judicial custody and are expected to be formally charged in the coming weeks.
• Kunal is reportedly cooperating with police and may become a primary witness during the trial.

Meanwhile, Karan’s family struggles with grief—and betrayal—from two people they trusted most.

Final Thoughts

Karan Dev’s story is both tragic and terrifying. A marriage gone wrong, a cousin’s betrayal, and a murder plotted through messages—this case reminds us that evil can wear familiar faces. And sometimes, the only thing standing between a murderer and justice is a chat log no one expected to be seen.