In a disturbing turn of events in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, a case that intertwines love, betrayal, and murder has come to light, leading to a court sentencing a woman to life imprisonment for a heinous crime. Afshana Begum, also known as Nisha, a 32-year-old woman, has been convicted for the murder of her 48-year-old friend, Zeenat Begum.

This chilling story began to unfold when Afshana, driven by a desperate desire to be with her lover, Pravin Kumar, devised a diabolical plan. She set Zeenat on fire, intending to fake her own death and elope with Pravin. This act of treachery was fueled by a longstanding love for Pravin that dated back to their school days, a love that led Afshana down a dark path.

Zeenat's tragic fate came to light on April 2, 2019, when her lifeless body was discovered inside a house under the jurisdiction of the Lisari Gate police station in Meerut. The discovery of this crime was a jolt to the community, uncovering the layers of deception that Afshana had woven.

The key to bringing Afshana to justice was the brave testimony of Zeenat's 13-year-old daughter. Her courage in facing the court played a pivotal role in revealing the truth behind her mother's untimely death.

Additional District Government Counsel (ADGC) Mukesh Kumar Mittal provided crucial insights into this case. He revealed that Zeenat was married to Mohammad Ashraf, who was frequently away from home for work. This absence provided Afshana, who lived in the same neighborhood and often visited Zeenat's house, the opportunity to execute her plan. Afshana's love for Pravin, an auto driver, was met with resistance due to differences in faith and opposition from her family, adding layers of complexity to this tragic tale.

The case has sent shockwaves throughout the community, highlighting the extremities of human emotions and the lengths to which individuals might go for love, leading to irreversible consequences.

he case took a more sinister turn as the judge revealed further disturbing details. He explained, “After watching a TV serial on crime she hatched a plot to kill Zeenat in her house. One day when Zeenat came to her house, Afshana set her on fire with a gas cylinder pipe. She thought everyone would take Zeenat’s badly burnt body to be hers and she would flee with her lover. But weeks later someone spotted her and the case took a different turn. During court hearings, Zeenat’s daughter said her mother would often go to ‘Afshana aunty’s house’ and that one day she did not return.”

This revelation paints a harrowing picture of premeditated murder, inspired by a television crime show. Afshana's calculated move to set Zeenat on fire using a gas cylinder pipe demonstrates the cold-blooded nature of her plan. She naively believed that the severely burnt body of Zeenat would be mistaken for her own, allowing her to disappear unnoticed with her lover. However, her plan unraveled when she was recognized weeks after the incident, leading to a significant shift in the investigation.

The testimony of Zeenat’s young daughter during the court proceedings was heart-wrenching. She recounted how her mother would frequently visit Afshana, whom she referred to as ‘Afshana aunty.’ Her simple statement that one day her mother went to Afshana’s house and never returned underscored the tragic finality of the event.

The involvement of law enforcement became crucial when Zeenat's husband, alarmed by her disappearance, filed a missing person report. The police investigation led to the reopening of Afshana’s house, where they discovered personal items belonging to Zeenat, including her earrings, shoes, and Aadhaar Card. These items served as grim indicators that Zeenat had been at that location and had met a violent end.

Ultimately, the court, presided over by Additional District and Sessions Judge Pawan Shukla, handed down a life sentence to Afshana for the murder of Zeenat. This verdict brought a somber conclusion to a case that was marred by betrayal and a misguided pursuit of love.

Background of the Incident

The disturbing case that unfolded in Meerut's Lisadi Gate area revolves around a woman's charred body, initially identified as Afshana, the wife of a man named Abrar. This body was discovered in a house, adding a layer of mystery and horror to the incident. Compounding the confusion was the disappearance of Zeenat, a close friend of Afshana, who lived in the nearby Dhalai Wali Gali. Zeenat was last seen on April 1st, and her sudden absence raised immediate concerns.

Ishtiaq, Zeenat's brother, played a crucial role in bringing this case to the attention of the authorities. He reported her disappearance and voiced suspicions of foul play, specifically implicating dowry murder. According to him, Zeenat and her husband Ashraf had frequent altercations, suggesting a troubled marital relationship.

As the police delved deeper into this complex web of events, they discovered that Zeenat and Afshana were not just neighbors but also close companions. They often visited each other's homes, which was a routine part of their friendship. On the day Zeenat disappeared, police investigations and CCTV footage confirmed that she had gone to Afshana’s home, but never returned. At the same time, Afshana was believed to have died shortly thereafter. The mystery deepened as the police continued their search for Zeenat without any success.

However, the case took an unexpected turn when Afshana was seen alive, contradicting the initial identification of the body. Posing as Nisha, she unexpectedly appeared at the police station to file a complaint against her boyfriend. In her complaint, she alleged that he had rejected her and refused to provide her shelter. This twist in the story brought her under suspicion, especially when she was recognized by several individuals and a policeman at the station.

Upon being interrogated, Afshana eventually confessed to the entire plot, leaving everyone in disbelief. Her admission revealed a shocking and convoluted tale of deceit, betrayal, and calculated murder. 

The relationship between Afshana and Pravin Kumar was marked by deep affection but also steeped in societal challenges. Despite their strong bond, their union faced significant obstacles due to their differing religious backgrounds. Afshana, who was already married to another man, continued her relationship with Pravin, hoping to build a life with him. However, this hope was shattered by the constraints imposed by their separate faiths.

The revelation of Afshana's heinous act had a profound impact on Pravin. When he learned about the horrifying incident, his response was one of shock and rejection. "You killed your long-time friend to have me. How can I trust you," he exclaimed, distancing himself from Afshana. This rejection fueled Afshana's frustration, driving her to the police station, a move that would ultimately lead to her downfall.

Afshana’s Confession

During police interrogation, Afshana's confession shed light on the dark motivations behind her actions. She admitted her deep desire to be with Pravin, but acknowledged the barrier their different religions posed to their marriage. Her confession highlighted the extent to which societal pressures can influence personal relationships.

Afshana revealed a chilling source of inspiration for her crime. She said, "I watched a crime show on TV in which a girlfriend burns another lady alive to be with her partner. Later, she changed her name and fled with him after fabricating a death story. This inspired me to attain my true love. I concocted the entire plan without telling anyone. I wanted a woman to sacrifice and chose my friend Zeenat for the objective." This statement illustrates a disturbingly calculated approach to achieving her goal, showing a complete disregard for human life and the sanctity of friendship.

In a detailed account of the events leading to the tragic incident, the perpetrator, Afshana, described the meticulous planning and execution of her heinous act. She recounted, “I quietly invited her over to my house that day and claimed that I had something important to share. We were alone in the house. Zeenat was rendered unconscious by the intoxicating tea I gave her to drink. I then removed the gas cylinder’s pipe and lit it on fire. The fire destroyed both her and my whole house. I left the house in silence and no one saw me. People concluded Afshana had burned to death, according to my plan, however, I was still alive. Abrar, my spouse also believed that I had passed away.”

This chilling confession reveals the cold and calculated manner in which Afshana lured Zeenat to her home under the guise of sharing something important. The use of drugged tea to render Zeenat unconscious demonstrates the premeditated nature of the crime. Afshana’s actions were not spur-of-the-moment but carefully planned and executed with precision.

Afshana’s escape from the house unnoticed and the subsequent assumption by the people and her husband Abrar that she had perished in the fire show the extent to which she was willing to go to deceive everyone around her. This element of her plan worked exactly as she had intended, with everyone believing that she had died in the fire.