What started as an online romance between two strangers ended in a brutal murder in Gujarat’s Rajkot district after a 20-year-old man allegedly killed his live-in partner upon discovering that the person he believed was a woman was, in fact, a man posing as one on social media. Police have arrested the accused, saying the crime followed months of arguments after the revelation.
The accused has been identified as Piyush Kumar Kharwar, a native of Uttar Pradesh, while the deceased has been identified as Chandan Kumar.
Body found near railway track initially believed to be accidental death
The case came to light on June 25, when police recovered a highly decomposed body near a railway wall in Rajkot district. The body was dressed in women’s clothing, leading investigators to initially suspect an accidental death.
However, the investigation took a dramatic turn after a forensic post-mortem examination revealed severe head injuries, indicating that the victim had been murdered. Police subsequently launched a full-fledged murder investigation.
Relationship began through social media
According to investigators, Piyush and Chandan first connected on social media nearly three years ago while Piyush was working in Hyderabad.
Police said Chandan introduced himself as a woman using different identities on social media. He allegedly used the name “Nisha Kumar” on Facebook and “Poonam” on Instagram, leading Piyush to believe he was communicating with a woman.
As their online friendship grew into a romantic relationship, the two eventually began living together.
Accused believed they were in a husband-wife relationship
During the investigation, police found that Piyush believed he was sharing a husband-wife relationship with Chandan.
Investigators said Chandan allegedly avoided physical intimacy throughout their relationship, reportedly telling Piyush that religious beliefs prevented such relations before marriage or at that stage of the relationship. Piyush reportedly accepted these explanations and continued living with him.
The relationship continued for nearly three years without Piyush realising Chandan’s actual identity.
Discovery triggered frequent arguments
Police said the relationship changed completely after Piyush allegedly saw Chandan shaving and realised that the person he believed was a woman was actually a man.
The discovery allegedly led to repeated arguments between the two.
Despite the growing tensions, the pair continued to remain in contact. As Piyush moved for work from Hyderabad to Uttar Pradesh, later Rajasthan, and eventually Rajkot district, Chandan allegedly followed him to each location in an effort to continue the relationship.
Heated argument ended in murder, police allege
According to police, the couple had another major argument on June 21 while they were at a factory in Padvala village in Rajkot district.
Investigators allege that after the argument, Piyush took Chandan to a secluded area near a railway track.
There, police claim, he attacked Chandan with large stones, inflicting fatal head injuries. After the assault, the accused allegedly attempted to hide the body by covering it with rocks before fleeing the scene.
CCTV footage and forensic evidence led police to accused
Following the recovery of the body, investigators examined CCTV footage from nearby areas, analysed technical surveillance data and gathered information from local sources.
Police said the combination of forensic evidence, CCTV footage and human intelligence helped identify Piyush as the prime suspect.
During questioning, investigators claim that the accused confessed to the crime.
Murder case registered
Rajkot Rural Superintendent of Police Vijay Singh Gurjar said the arrest was made on the basis of forensic findings, CCTV footage and witness statements collected during the investigation.
Police have registered a case against Piyush Kumar Kharwar under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with murder.
Further investigation is underway to establish the complete sequence of events leading to the killing.
The case has drawn attention because of its unusual circumstances, with investigators alleging that the fatal assault followed the accused’s discovery that his live-in partner had been using a female identity on social media for nearly three years. Police continue to investigate all aspects of the case while legal proceedings against the accused move forward.
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