Jharkhand actress Riya Kumari shot dead in allegedly highway robbery bid in Howrah, husband arrested

Kolkata: West Bengal Police have arrested the husband as the prime suspect in the Jharkhand actress Riya Kumari murder case, who was found shot dead inside of her car from close range at Bagnan in Howrah district early on Wednesday.

Police swung into action after the relatives of the dead actress complained to the Bengal police about the torture following a series of investigations and questioning husband Prakash Kumar was arrested of accused of uxoricide or the act of killing his wife, official sources said on Thursday.

Sources said Riya was the second wife of the arrested husband, whose family members also used to torture the actress, according to complaints lodged by the family members of the victim.

Besides the autopsy, forensic tests would also be done to ascertain the causes of death, sources added.

The arrested accused, who also told the police that three unidentified miscreants in a bid to rob her shot dead his wife from close range, would be produced before a court in Howrah for the judicial process. Police said their advocates would seek further police custody as the matter needed investigation.

The Youtuber was coming to this city to buy clothing for her as per the arrested husband's assertion. Prakash Kumar, who was driving the car in which Riya Kumari was travelling along with her three-year-old daughter.

Sources said that as per Prakash Kumar's statement the murder took place at around 6 a.m. on Wednesday while they were travelling to Kolkata from Ranchi and when he had stopped his vehicle near the Mahishrekha bridge at Bagnan under Uluberia sub-division of Howrah district to answer nature's call.

As per his version, after he stopped his vehicle three miscreants attacked them with firearms with snatching intention and on being resisted one miscreant shot at Riya Kumari from point-blank range, which ultimately became the cause of her death. (UNI)