A 46-year-old woman, Kajal Shah, and her lover, Hitesh Jain, 45, were arrested for administering slow poison to her husband, Kamalkant Shah, a garment businessman from Santacruz (West), leading to his death.
“Excess quantities of arsenic and thallium were found in the blood of the deceased, Kamalkant Shah, 46, (who died on September 19 due to multiple organ failure). Moreover, Sarla, the mother of the deceased, died on August 13 due to the same symptoms,” observed additional chief metropolitan magistrate KS Zanwar, while granting police custody of the duo till December 8, adding that prima facie it appeared to be a case of homicide.
The police have found the place from where Kajal and her lover Hitesh procured the poisonous substances that they are accused of serving to her husband Kamalkant. The statement of the chemical dealer, who is a witness in the case, has been recorded.
On August 24, Kamalkant complained of stomach pain and started vomiting. He took medicines from his family doctor but when the pain persisted he was admitted to Criticare Hospital, Andheri and later taken to Bombay Hospital. Days ago his mother had died after similar complaints.
“The doctors were shocked as his organs started failing one after another. Doctors then suspected the presence of metal in his blood. His blood samples were sent for forensic examination. The report came on September 13 showing high levels of arsenic and thallium,” said Kamalkant’s brother-in-law Arun Lalwani.
Kamalkant died on September 19 due to organ failure and based on his post-mortem report, the Azad Maidan police registered an accidental death report (ADR).
“Kavita and Hitesh wanted to usurp Shah’s property by getting rid of him and hence they procured arsenic and thallium. They first gave it to his mother and then to him,” the police said. The Shah couple has two grownup children.
Kamalkant’s sister Kavita said, “When we decided to investigate this matter, Kajal showed no interest, which further raised our suspicions. Within a few days, she, along with her brothers, sold the Bhiwandi office of my brother and also called up various insurance companies seeking his policies, and started looking for his properties.”
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