A 38-year-old woman Rahima Khatun, from Joymati Nagar of Pandu area, Guwahati Assam, has been arrested for allegedly murdering her husband and burying his body in their home compound following a domestic dispute.
The incident reportedly took place on the night of June 26, when Khatun’s husband, Sabiyal Rahman, 40, a scrap dealer by profession, returned home intoxicated. According to India Today, police officials said, an intense altercation ensued between the couple, who had been married for 15 years and shared two children. Police said during the argument, Khatun allegedly killed Rahman in a fit of panic and rage.
The police then confirmed that in an attempt to hide the crime, Khatun is believed to have dug a five-foot pit in their yard and buried Rahman’s body. She then misled family members and neighbors by claiming her husband had travelled to Kerala for work, then later claiming he was unwell.
The matter came to light after Rahman’s brother filed a missing person complaint on July 12, prompting further police inquiry and intervention. The next day, Khatun surrendered at Jalukbari police station and confessed to the crime. She was taken into custody, and police subsequently exhumed the body from the compound in the presence of forensic experts and a magistrate.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Padmanav Baruah confirmed to India Today the details of the crime and stated that the body was sent to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital for autopsy. Investigators suspect that Khatun may not have acted alone, given the physical difficulty of digging and concealing a body unaided. "We have certain clues suggesting that others might have been involved," an officer said, adding that the investigation is ongoing.
According to Rahman’s family, the couple had a history of marital disputes, including disagreements over finances and the sale of property. Police are currently examining whether these disputes were a contributing factor to the crime.
Khatun remains in judicial custody as authorities continue to investigate the full circumstances of the incident and explore the possibility of accomplices. This case has drawn attention in the local community, prompting renewed concern over domestic violence and the lack of early intervention in volatile households.
