Lawyer, wife arrested for ‘killing elderly man, stuffing body in suitcase with cement’
Raipur, June 2025 – A gruesome crime has shocked Chhattisgarh’s capital. A lawyer and his wife now face charges for killing a 60-year-old man and hiding his body in a suitcase packed with cement. The calculated nature of the crime, driven by greed, has gripped the nation.
Body Found in Cement and Steel Trunk
The case broke on June 23, when residents in Raipur’s Indraprastha Colony noticed a foul smell. Consequently, police arrived and discovered a steel trunk abandoned in the bushes. Inside, they found a suitcase filled with cement. Buried in it lay the body of Kishore Paikra, a disabled man who had gone missing just days earlier.
His limbs were tied, and his throat was slit. Police suspect the cement served to block the smell and slow decomposition.
Who Was the Victim?
Kishore Paikra, 60, lived alone in the DD Nagar area. Since he was physically disabled, he often depended on others for errands. Recently, he had sold a piece of land for ₹50 lakh. Moreover, he had reportedly told neighbors that a lawyer named Ankit Upadhyay owed him ₹20 lakh from that deal.
Police now believe that the money dispute led to his death.
The Accused and the Crime Scene
Investigators believe Ankit Upadhyay, a practicing lawyer, and his wife Shivani Sharma murdered Paikra between June 21 and 22. They rented a flat in DD Nagar, where they allegedly committed the crime.
After the murder, the couple purchased a steel trunk, cement, and plastic sheets. CCTV footage showed them shopping for these items. Later, they transported the body in a white Alto car with a tampered license plate, while Shivani followed on a scooter to keep watch.
Police say the couple poured cement into the suitcase to hide the body. Then, they sealed it in a trunk and dumped it in a remote area.
Tracking the Killers
Once police identified Paikra’s body, they traced his last calls and contacts. This led them directly to Ankit. By the time police closed in, the couple had already fled Raipur.
On June 24, they boarded a flight to Delhi. However, Raipur police had acted quickly. They alerted CISF officers at Delhi Airport. As soon as the couple landed, CISF detained them and handed them over to Raipur police.
What Sparked the Murder?
The motive appears to be money. Paikra had sold land and believed Ankit cheated him out of ₹20 lakh. Instead of settling the matter legally, Ankit allegedly chose murder.
Police say Shivani helped at every step—from planning to execution and cover-up. She even tailed the car carrying the body to avoid police checks.
Public Outrage and Legal Fallout
Raipur residents were stunned. Many expressed disbelief that a trained lawyer would commit such a brutal crime. The fact that his wife actively participated made it even more disturbing.
Legal experts predict a tough battle ahead. The couple could face charges including:
- IPC 302: Murder
- IPC 120B: Criminal conspiracy
- IPC 201: Destruction of evidence
Given the planning, brutality, and attempt to flee, the prosecution is likely to push for life imprisonment or more.
Similarities With Past Cases
This case reminded many of other high-profile murders involving cemented bodies. For example, one such case in Meerut (2023) involved a woman’s body sealed in cement and dumped near a highway.
Police believe criminals may be copying these methods to avoid detection. Thus, the Raipur case adds to growing concerns about such disturbing trends.
Final Thoughts
The murder of Kishore Paikra is not just a case of greed. It’s a betrayal of trust. He believed a lawyer was helping him, but that trust was cruelly broken. Ankit and Shivani, educated and aware of the law, chose to break it in the most horrifying way.
As police prepare a strong case and court proceedings begin, Raipur—and the nation—waits for justice. This case is a grim reminder that even educated professionals can commit unthinkable crimes when blinded by greed.
